Côte d'Ivoire labored to a narrow 1-0 victory over a stubborn Burundi side in their FIFA World Cup CAF qualification match on September 6, 2025. The African champions were made to work extremely hard for the three points, requiring a second-half goal to break down a well-organized defensive unit. Despite dominating possession, Les Éléphants found clear chances hard to come by against a deep-lying Burundi block. The breakthrough finally arrived from a moment of quality, with a precise finish finding the corner to relieve the tension in the stadium. The win, though not convincing, was vital for Côte d'Ivoire's qualification hopes, keeping them level on points with the group leaders. The Ivorian coach admitted his team faced a tough challenge, while Burundi's manager took pride in his team's disciplined performance.