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Verdict: Ivory Coast win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Getting the defence of their AFCON crown underway on Wednesday evening, Ivory Coast will meet Mozambique in Marrakech.
Ivory Coast
Starting with the Ivory Coast, storming their way to a sensational World Cup finals return back in October and set to make their first appearance on the grandest of stages for the first time since 2014 next summer, Emerse Fae’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend and signing off their pre-tournament preparations with a routine 2-0 victory against Oman, the Elephants have their sights set on defending their AFCON crown over the next month. Punching their ticket to north America next summer thanks to a famous 3-0 romp against Kenya on October 14th, the Ivory Coast have not suffered a single competitive defeat over the past 12 months and they will be confident of making an opening statement on Wednesday evening.
Ivory Coast Team News
In what was a shock inclusion earlier in the month, former Crystal Palace ace Wilfried Zaha has been called up by the Ivory Coast in almost two years. However, despite playing a leading role during the Elephants’ 2023 AFCON title success, Sunderland star Simon Adingra has been omitted.
Four Premier League players have been called up – Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly, Wolves’ Emmanuel Agbadou and Manchester United winger Amad Diallo. Now playing his domestic football with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, Franck Kessie will lead out Fae’s side and earn a 97th international cap.
Mozambique
As for Mozambique, failing to win any of their three AFCON appearances over in the Ivory Coast three years ago, Chiquinho Conde’s side have another monumental challenge on their hands over the next month. Pencilled is as a landslide underdog to find a route out of Group F, the Mambas couldn’t have asked for a tougher examination here. Signing off their pre-tournament preparations with a worrying display as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Angola, the Reds have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, Mozambique slumped to a routine 3-0 loss when they last met the Elephants back back in November 2021.
Mozambique Team News
Making a real impact after arriving at Premier League newcomers Sunderland over the summer, former Atletico Madrid star Reinildo Mandava will start at the back on Wednesday evening and earn a 54th international cap.
Playing a leading role for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon this season, Geny Catamo will feature in the final third and shoulder plenty of Mozambique’s attacking threat. Underlining his spot as Conde’s number one choice, Ernan Siluane will start between the sticks here.
Ivory Coast vs Mozambique Key Factors to Consider
When the Ivory Coast and Mozambique last met back in November 2021, the reigning AFCON champions secured a routine 3-0 victory.
The Ivory Coast are unbeaten in all of their six historic showdowns against Wednesday’s opponents (four wins, two draws).
The Elephants have not suffered a single competitive defeat over the past 12 months.
Mozambique have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
The reigning AFCON champions have conceded just a single strike in any of their last seven appearances across all fronts.
Conclusion
With their sights firmly set on defending their AFCON crown, the Ivory Coast will be looking to get their Group F adventure underway with an early statement of intent. Regarded as a standout title contender, the Elephants will be smelling a golden opportunity on Wednesday evening. Securing a routine 3-0 victory when they last met Mozambique back in November 2021 and unbeaten in all of their six historic battles, we are backing Fae’s squad are rightfully installed as a landslide contender in Marrakech. Gaining a reputation for their rugged defensive steel, Ivory Coast will feel they have been handed a golden opportunity.
Verdict: Ivory Coast win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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