Having scored Ivory Coast's equalizer at the end of a thrilling match against Gabon (3-2) on Wednesday, Evann Guessand issued a warning to the remaining nations qualified for the round of 16 in a post-match interview.

The reigning champion is still in the running. Already qualified after the second day of the group stage of the 2025 AFCON, Ivory Coast retained their precious first place - at the expense of Cameroon - at the very end of their match against Gabon (3-2), this Wednesday.

Trailing 2-0 and outplayed in a disastrous start, Emerse Faé's revamped starting eleven rallied late in the game thanks to goals from substitutes Evann Guessand (84th minute) and Bazoumana Touré (90th minute). A prideful comeback for the reigning champions, who sent a strong message to the other qualifiers.

"We had a bad start to the match with two goals right from the start. But we showed that we have mental strength. We stayed solid, we stayed focused. We are one of the teams that can do something in this competition. We have objectives in mind: the goal is to go all the way. From the beginning we have known the quality of the group, let's hope that this confidence will remain for the rest of the competition," said striker Evann Guessand to beIN Sports after the match.

Ivory Coast vs. Burkina Faso in the round of 16

The Ivorians narrowly retain their first place in Group F with this 3-2 victory against Gabon, who were already eliminated on the second day.

After a nail-biting finish in the group stage with Cameroon – tied on points until this final matchday – Ivory Coast will remain in Marrakech to host Burkina Faso on Tuesday, January 6 (8 p.m.). This match will be the last Round of 16 fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

For the Panthers, this last match for honor could be the last Africa Cup match for an entire generation: Mario Lemina, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga, André Poko... A last stand that ends in bitter failure.