Burkina Faso coach Brama Traore has urged his team to be fully prepared as they face AFCON defending champions Ivory Coast in the round of 16 at Stade de Marrakech.
Burkina Faso finished second in Group E with six points behind Algeria after wins over Sudan and Equatorial Guinea and are well aware of the huge mountain that awaits ahead.
Speaking ahead of the match, Burkina Faso coach Traore stated: “We know we are going to play against the African champions. We must prepare well. I don’t think the match comes too early, because at this stage of the competition, every team is capable of competing.”
“We came here to reach the final, play it and win it. If that means going through the defending champions, then we must be ready.”
Les Stallions of Burkina Faso have never won the AFCON, but were beaten finalists in 2013 by Nigeria.
This is a West African derby with the two nations sharing a 545-kilometre border, with Ivory Coast lying to the south of Burkina Faso.
Unlike their West African counterparts, Burkina Faso have always flattered to deceive at the big stage, with the side eliminated by Mali at this stage in the last edition won by Ivory Coast on home soil.
Overall, the two nations have met 20 times in all competitions. Ivory Coast have recorded eight wins, Burkina Faso three, with nine matches ending in draws.
This will be the third meeting between the teams at the Africa Cup of Nations, having previously met in back-to-back group stage encounters in 2010 and 2012.