Elephants on Fire: Bazoumana Touré Declares They Fear No One Ahead of AFCON 2025 Quarterfinals
7 January 2026
Road to the Quarterfinals
The Ivory Coast forward Bazoumana Touré says his side does not fear any opponent as they prepare for a quarterfinal clash with Egypt in AFCON 2025 in Morocco. He stressed that the team’s focus remains on delivering their best performance on the pitch, not on the names of their rivals.
The Elephants booked their place in the last eight with a 3-0 win over Burkina Faso, a result Touré noted came after the coach challenged the squad to display aggressive intent from the opening whistle, a demand they met head-on.
Facing Egypt: Focus on Performance
Touré, who plays for Hoffenheim in Germany, described Egypt as a tie carrying historical weight for Ivory Coast, but insisted they do not fear any team and will concentrate on their own play with the aim of winning every match.
Egypt reached the quarters by beating Benin 3-1 after extra time, and Touré himself added Ivory Coast’s third goal in that commanding win over the side nicknamed the Horses.
Sniper Punchlines
Punchline 1: If confidence were a weapon, Ivory Coast would be firing precision-guided shots—goalposts included, and still smiling.
Punchline 2: They say defense wins championships; these lads are so calm the goalkeeper is probably filing taxes while the ball nestles in the net.
