Diomande Shines at AFCON, Leads Côte d’Ivoire to Victory
A Major Contribution in the Round of 16
Yan Diomande marked a significant achievement as the tenth Bundesliga player to find the net in the 35th edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). The winger from RB Leipzig played a vital role in Côte d’Ivoire’s impressive 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the Round of 16, with Bazoumana Touré again emerging from the bench to secure the win.
Côte d’Ivoire Takes Charge Early
The three-time champions opened the scoring with Amad Diallo’s third goal of the tournament in the 20th minute. The Manchester United forward not only scored but also assisted Diomande’s goal just before halftime. The talented 19-year-old showcased his precision with a well-placed shot in a congested penalty area.
Burkina Faso Struggles Against Strong Opponents
Burkina Faso, featuring Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba and SC Freiburg’s Cyriaque Irié in their lineup, struggled to keep pace with Côte d’Ivoire, who are seen as one of the tournament favorites. Emerse Faé’s team celebrated their victory with Touré scoring the third goal in the 87th minute.
Touré’s Spectacular Solo Goal
The Hoffenheim forward executed a remarkable solo goal, embarking on a run that began deep in his own half without any defender challenging him. Touré had previously netted the winning goal for Côte d’Ivoire in his AFCON debut against Gabon during the group stage.
Upcoming Quarter-Final Matches
The defending champions are set to face record winners Egypt in the final quarter-final match on Saturday. The seven-time champions secured their place by eliminating Benin after extra time. The quarter-finals will commence on Friday, featuring Nicolas Jackson’s Senegal squaring off against Mali, who are yet to secure a victory in regular time.
Bundesliga Players in Action
On the same day, three Bundesliga players will represent Cameroon as they look to disrupt Morocco’s home advantage in the tournament. Meanwhile, Algeria, with four Bundesliga stars in their roster, will challenge the high-scoring Nigeria earlier on Saturday.
