AFCON 2025: 3 reasons why Côte d'Ivoire can win the AFCON in a row

Before the start of the AFCON 2025, Côte d'Ivoire proclaimed it but via whispers: they want to win the competition again and do the back-to-back.

A strong team defensively

To win a competition like the AFCON, you will have to be very compact defensively. Côte d'Ivoire is. Moreover, since the appointment of Emerse Faé, the Elephants have a very beautiful defensive base with Evan Ndicka at the helm. The latter clearly embodies this defensive solidity. At this Africa Cup of Nations, the AS Roma player formed a very high-level duo with Odilon Kossounou.

After 4 matches, Côte d'Ivoire conceded 3 goals. She conceded 2 in the match against Gabon on the 3rd day with a reshuffle in the defensive sector. This defensive solidity of the Elephants, it’s quite an organization. The midfielder with Christ Inao Oulai, Ibrahim Sangaré and Franck Kessié covers the central defense with ball recoveries. Against the Stallions in the round of sixteen, they recorded 47 ball recoveries and 60% of won duels, including 56% ground battles and 73% aerial duels. 

A real collective is emerging

This Ivorian team continues to raise its level to the competition. She started timidly with a narrow victory against Mozambique (1-0). Afterwards, she gained momentum with a very promising draw (1-1) in the clash against Cameroon. In the last group match, with a reshuffled squad, they were stunning against Gabon (3-2). 

Against Burkina Faso, the Elephants have reached the peak of their collective game. A total mastery in all sectors. The Stallions could not develop their game, prevented by the high pressing and the good positioning of the Ivorian players on the field. A team that is also physically ready. 

« Everything is mastered, I think that at all levels we are ready. We increase in power match after match,"

 said the Ivorian right-winger Oumar Diakité in the mixed zone after the qualification for the quarter-finals.

Côte d'Ivoire delivered a quality performance against Burkina Faso with 58% of possession, 33 touches in the opposing area, 76% of passes in the final third, 429 accurate passes, 69% of passes passed.

Very strong individualities

Beyond the collective, the Elephants have shone with their individualities especially in the offensive sector. The Ivorian team was enormously impressed by its young attackers. They blew up the defense of Burkina Faso. Amad Diallo, Yan Diomandé, Bazoumana Touré, Christ Inao Oulai... only nuggets to blow up any bolt during this Africa Cup of Nations. 
Aged 19, Christ Inao Oulai is already the metronome of the midfielder of the Elephants. Clean for recovery and excellent in ball throwing, the Trabzonspor player is already the new "darling" of the Ivorians. 

"It’s our little baby, we take it as our little brother. We are kind to him and we advise him to always remain humble and focused on the essential", 

said Emerse Faé in a post-match press conference against Burkina Faso. 

Amad Diallo, the Manchester United player on the right, Yan Diomandé, the RB Leipzig member on the left, are the real offensive assets of the Elephants. Very technical, they systematically make the difference against their opponents to score or to put the advanced attacker in orbit. 

Amad Diallo carries offensively the Ivorian team with his 3 goals and an assist in 4 games at the AFCON 2025. After 4 appearances, the 23-year-old player was designated Man of the Match 3 times.