Armenian-based legionnaires end their AFCON 2025 campaign as Algeria and Ivory Coast reach the quarter-finals

The final Round of 16 matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations took place on January 6. As a result, Algeria and Ivory Coast secured places in the quarter-finals, while teams featuring players from the Armenian league were eliminated from the tournament.

DR Congo, represented by FC Noah goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu, lost 0–1 to Algeria. The only goal was scored in the 119th minute of extra time by substitute Adil Bulbina of Qatar’s Al-Duhail.

Fayulu did not make an appearance during the tournament. There was consideration of bringing him on specifically for a potential penalty shootout — similar to the World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, where he saved two penalties and helped DR Congo advance. However, this time the “Leopards” failed to hold on until penalties, conceding just one minute before the end of extra time.

AFCON 2025 also ends for FC Noah midfielder Gustavo Sangaré, who played two matches for Burkina Faso:

• 70 minutes vs Equatorial Guinea (2–1 win, SofaScore rating — 7.1),

• 78 minutes vs Algeria (0–1 loss, SofaScore — 7.2).

Sangaré did not feature in the Round of 16 match against Ivory Coast, where Burkina Faso suffered a heavy 0–3 defeat. The goals were scored by Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Bazoumana Touré (Hoffenheim), and Yan Diomandé (RB Leipzig).

Earlier, at the group stage, the Comoros national team was also eliminated. Their squad includes Yerevan Ararat goalkeeper Adel Anzimati-Aboudou.

Thus, all representatives of the Armenian championship have completed their AFCON 2025 campaigns, while the fight for the trophy continues without them.

AFCON 2025 quarter-final fixtures:

• Mali vs Senegal (January 9)

• Cameroon vs Morocco (January 9)

• Egypt vs Ivory Coast (January 10)

• Algeria vs Nigeria (January 10)