Côte d’Ivoire secured third place in the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after a thrilling 5-2 victory in a penalty shootout against Burkina Faso at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Friday.

The match ended in a tightly contested 1-1 draw after regular time, but the Young Elephants showcased their composure during the shootout, converting all four of their spot kicks while Burkina Faso missed two of their first three attempts.

Burkina Faso initially took the lead in the 28th minute when Halidou Diakité scored from the centre of the box after a corner kick created chaos in the Ivorian defence. The Stallions dominated much of the first half, applying pressure through quick transitions and physical battles in midfield.

However, Côte d’Ivoire regrouped in the second half, inspired by key substitutions, and eventually equalized in the 84th minute. Alynho Haïdara, one of the substitutes, scored from close range following a well-coordinated move that began on the left flank.

The final minutes of normal time were intense, as Burkina Faso was reduced to 10 men when Prince Ouédraogo received a straight red card after a VAR review in the 90th minute. Côte d’Ivoire pushed for a late winner, but the Burkinabe defence held firm, leading the match to be decided by penalties.

Côte d’Ivoire secured a flawless shootout victory with goals from Haïdara, Souhalio Bamba, Vaboué Doumbia, and Yannis Touali, while Burkina Faso missed their attempts through Mikael Coulibaly and Comi Ouattara.

This win ensures a bronze medal for Côte d’Ivoire, highlighting their resilience after trailing for most of the match. Despite the defeat, Burkina Faso’s semi-final run showcased their promise and flair. Both teams will take valuable lessons from their experiences at Morocco 2025.