Moumouni Dagano, a legendary Burkinabè footballer, shared his insights on the upcoming CAN 2025 clash between the Étalons (Burkina Faso) and the Elephants (Ivory Coast). Dagano, the national team’s all-time top scorer, offers valuable advice to his younger teammates on how to overcome the formidable Ivorian challenge. The prospect of a derby match between Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast is always exciting, and for Dagano, it represents a family affair with significant stakes. He emphasized that while a 50/50 prediction is made beforehand, the true outcome is decided on the field. Preparing for such a derby involves a unique atmosphere and intensity. Dagano, who experienced losses against Ivory Coast in his playing days, believes the current generation has the capability to replicate their friendly match victory. He trusts their potential, provided they give their maximum effort. The pressure, Dagano suggests, might be more on Ivory Coast as the reigning African champions. A win for them would be expected, while a victory for the Étalons would be a significant upset. The key to distinguishing themselves on the field will be their collective play. Playing as a cohesive unit and focusing on details will be crucial. While the Elephants possess a strong offense, the Étalons’ unpredictability can be an advantage. Vigilance and avoiding errors are paramount to securing a win, especially if they maintain focus until the final whistle.
Featured snippet paragraph: The difference in the Burkina Faso vs Ivory Coast match will be decided at the collective level, emphasizing the importance of playing as a block and capitalizing on detailed execution. While the Elephants are offensively strong, the Étalons’ unpredictability and ability to press effectively can be decisive factors.
As a former top scorer, Dagano’s advice for attackers is to play as a united front, attacking and defending together. He also advocates for a higher defensive line to apply pressure, which requires excellent physical conditioning. The team’s recent rest period is seen as a valuable asset for this demanding approach.
Dagano stands by his 50/50 prediction, asserting that the Étalons can face any opponent with confidence. He believes that sheer desire and effort on the field are more critical than pre-match statistics. Maturity and giving their all will be essential for the Burkinabè side.
The current strength of the Étalons lies in their ability to inject an element of surprise and execute pressing at opportune moments. The presence of several players capable of individual brilliance further bolsters their offensive threat.
Regarding his scoring record, Dagano states that consistency during qualifiers is key to breaking it. He believes players like Bertrand Traoré and Frank Lassina Traoré have the potential to surpass his achievement, highlighting the importance of scoring at least five goals per qualifying campaign.
He concludes with a plea for the Burkinabè people to support the Étalons, believing this generation has the talent to achieve their goals with widespread encouragement.
Beyond the tactical advice, the original content also touches upon a friendly international match between Malian and Burkinabè journalists during the CAN 2025, ending in a 4-4 draw, highlighting camaraderie. Furthermore, it notes the Étalons’ impressive performance in the group stage, securing 6 points, and highlights Edmond Tapsoba as a standout player, even making it into the team of the group stage for his defensive solidity and offensive contributions.
