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

Fans im Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion
Women - 10.08.2026

Women: Wolfsburg and Bayern home tickets now on general sale

Tickets for the first two Bayer 04 women’s team home games are now on general sale. A week after their league opener away at RB Leipzig, Roberto Pätzold’s side will face last season’s runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, in the first home fixture on Sunday 30 August (kick-off: 16:00 CEST). Fifteen days later, on Monday night, 14 September (kick-off: 18:00 CEST), the Leverkusen Women host German champions Bayern Munich at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium for a top-of-the-table league clash. You can now also select specific seats via the online shop. The latest information on match ticket sales.

Show more
Noah Mbamba
Bayer 04 - 08.08.2026

Bayer 04 extend Noah Mbamba’s contract and loan the Belgian to FC Lorient

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended midfielder Noah Mbamba’s contract by twelve months and sent the Belgian U21 international on loan to France. At FC Lorient, the 21-year-old – whose contract at Leverkusen now runs to 30 June 2029 – is set to gain playing time in Ligue 1 and, through strong performances and further development, put himself in the running for a future place in the Werkself squad.

Show more
Jubel der Werkself
Women - 08.08.2026

Goal fest with a hat-trick from Kramer: Women’s team beat Feyenoord 7-0

Spurred on by a flawless hat-trick from Cornelia Kramer, the Bayer 04 women’s team won their penultimate pre-season friendly in commanding fashion. As part of the season launch, the Werkself beat Dutch top-flight side Feyenoord 7–0. In front of 3,000 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, Kramer (6’, 25’, 45’), Sofie Zdebel (47’), Maja Sternad (59'), Natasha Kowalski (83') and Vanessa Fudalla (86') scored the goals for coach Roberto Pätzold’s side.

Show more
Fernando Carro und Simon Rolfes
Bayer 04 - 08.08.2026

Bayer 04 commit to continuity: contracts with Carro and Rolfes extended ahead of schedule

The Shareholders’ Committee of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH has extended the contracts of the two managing directors, Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes, ahead of schedule. The CEO, Fernando Carro (62), will continue in his role until 30 June 2029, and managing director sport Simon Rolfes (44) will remain in post until 30 June 2031.

Show more