Back
25.01.2024Bayer 04

AFCON 2023: Werkself trio through to last 16

Werkself trio Edmond Tapsoba, Odilon Kossounou and Amine Adli have all got through the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and are into the round of 16. Tapsoba and Burkina Faso finished second in their group, Adli and Morocco went through as winners, while Kossounou and hosts Ivory Coast qualified for the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams.
imago1039286100h.jpg

Tapsoba and Burkina Faso faced Mauritiana in their first match in Group D. It looked for a long time like being an opening draw, but Aston Villa's Bertrand Traoré snatched the three points with a penalty in the 96th minute. The points were then shared against Algeria, with a last-minute goal again deciding the outcome - although this time in favour of the Algerians, who made it 2-2 in stoppage time. In their last group encounter, Burkina Faso lost 2-0 to Angola, meaning they finished second in Group D with four points. Tapsoba played every minute of all three games.

Adli and morocco comfortable group winners

Morocco started the tournament with a 3-0 win against Tanzania. Adli came on in the 71st minute of the Group F opener with the score at 1-0, and set up the second goal for Azzedine Ounahi shortly after. In their second match, the North Africans had to settle for a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, with Adli again being introduced in the latter stages. Morocco sealed top spot in the group with a 1-0 victory against Zambia, with Adli coming on at half-time.

opening win enough for ivory coast

The host nation are also in the last 16. A 2-0 win over Guinea in the opening match of the tournament proved to be enough, despite subsequent 1-0 and 4-0 defeats to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Kossounou watched all three games from the bench. Ivory Coast progressed to the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides.

looking ahead: potential werkself clash

The last-16 ties will be played from Saturday to Tuesday (27-30 January). Tapsoba and Burkina Faso take on Mali, while Kossounou and Ivory Coast are up against Senegal. Should both win, the two Leverkusen centre-backs will then come up against each other in the quarter-finals. Adli and Morocco, meanwhile, face South Africa.

K.-o.-Phase Afrika-Cup

The quarter-finals will take place on 2 and 3 February, the semi-finals on 7 February. After the third-place playoff on 10 February, the final will be played the next day at 21:00 CET.

THE ROUND OF 16 AT A GLANCE (all times CET)

Odilon Kossounou (Ivory Coast):

29.01, 21:00: Senegal v Ivory Coast

Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso):

30.01, 18:00: Mali v Burkina Faso

Amine Adli (Morocco):

30.01, 21:00: Morocco v South Africa

Related News

Teamfoto Deutschland U19
Youth - 12.07.2026

U19 European Championship in Wales: Germany, with Culbreath and Onyeka, lose out in final

The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.

Show more
Kenan Doganay mit Simon Rolfes und Kim Falkenberg
Youth - 09.07.2026

Bayer 04 sign France U17 international Kenan Doganay

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.

Show more
Bayer 04-Logo
Bayer 04 - 09.07.2026

DFB Sports Tribunal imposes fine on Bayer 04

The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.

Show more
Simeon Rapsch mit Kim Falkenberg (r.) und Bernd Korzynietz
Bayer 04 - 09.07.2026

Bayer 04 agree long-term deal with keeper Simeon Rapsch

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.

Show more