Ivory Coast vs Cameroon Prediction & Betting Tips (28 December)

Title holder, and winner on 3 occasions, Ivory Coast put its title on the line by entering the competition perfectly by beating Mozambique by a small goal 1-0. It remains to be seen how this Ivorian selection will feel, particularly following the announcement of the loss of its former coach, winner of CAN 2023 played in 2024, Jean-Louis Gasset, who unfortunately died during the week. As a reminder, the Elephants will participate in the World Cup next summer, following their very good run during the qualifiers with 25 goals scored and 0 conceded. Cameroon, in search of a coordinated and forward-looking sporting project and success, took a big blow in November with the defeat against the DRC in the semi-final of the World Cup qualifying play-off 0-1.

The Cameroonians will not go to the World Cup and have every interest in reaching the last four of this CAN or risk taking a real lead in the wing. As a start, like Ivory Coast, Cameroon achieved the bare minimum, that is to say the victory against Gabon 1-0. 

Not selected by Emerson Fae, Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal, 52 sels, 11 goals) is one of the big absentees from this CAN like Boga (Nice, 24 sels), Adingra (Sunderland, 3 goals during qualifying), Sebastian Haller (called up but injured), Hamad Traoré (OM, injured), Mario Dorgeles (Braga, 4 sels) without forgetting the Singo defenders (Galatasaray, 31 sel, injured), Brestois Junior Diaz (1 sel) and Zogbé (4 sel). Otherwise, it's great art among the Elephants with notably Seko Fofana (midfield, Rennes, 27 sel), author of 3 goals during the World Cup qualifiers, captain Kessié (97 sel, 15 goals), winger Zaha (34 sel, 5 goals), Messin Gbamin (22 caps), central Ndicka (AS Roma, 24 sel), full-back Guéla Doué (Strasbourg, 13 caps), Willy Boly (Nottingham, 22 caps) without forgetting Diomandé (Sporting) and Konan (48 caps). Offensively, the Ivorians can rely on the valuable Jean-Philippe Krasso (PFC, 25 sel, 8 goals), Bayo (Udinese, 10 sel, 3 goals), Amad Diallo (Manchester United, 12 sel) and Evan Guessand (Aston Villa) called up to replace Haller's injury. Several major absences to report among the Indomitable Lions, led by in contention, the former scorer and hero of the Champions League semi-final against Atalanta with PSG in 2020: Choupo-Moting (76 caps, 20 goals).

Note also the absence of Napoli midfielder Anguissa (64 caps, injured), attackers Ngamaleu (64 caps), Vincent Aboubakar (147 caps, 45 goals), goalkeeper Onana (53 caps) and central defender Castelleto (36 caps). Offensively, the Cameroonians count in their ranks the excellent Mbeumo (6 goals in the Premier League this season with Manchester United) and the revelation in La Liga with Levante, Etta Eyong (5 goals in 12 appearances in La Liga), author of the only goal of the match against the Gabonese. Note the presence of Lorient's Yongwa (11 selections) and Arthur Avom (7 selections) without forgetting Toulouse's Magri (18 selections) and Brest's Junior Dina Ebimbe (1 cap).