Gabon vs Ivory Coast Prediction & Betting Tips (31 December)

Gabon did not create the feat in a group F highlighted by the presence of Cameroon and Ivory Coast. However, it was Mozambique, the most affordable team in the group, who pushed him out by surprising him in a spectacular 2-3 match. The Panthers suffered a first defeat in the tournament, last week against Cameroon 1-0, and bring up the rear in the standings without a single point. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had already suffered a blow last month, in the race to qualify for the World Cup. Their dream ended against Nigeria 4-1 after, in the semi-finals of the African play-offs.

 Ivory Coast will be in the round of 16, with a 1-0 opening victory against Mozambique. The defending champion was, however, unable to do it again on Sunday in the group clash which pitted him against Cameroon 1-1. The men of Emerse Faé will want to embellish a little more a year 2025 to be marked with a hot iron. They qualified for the 2026 World Cup by dominating their qualifying group, what's more, without conceding a goal. 

Gabon prepared for this anecdotal match without its flagship striker Aubameyang (38 goals in 79 caps). Victim of physical discomfort, the Marseille striker was left at the disposal of his club. The other senior players will a priori be on deck including captain Ecuele-Manga (Paris 13 Atletico), left back Ekomié (Angers, 19 caps), Poko (Amedspor, 82 caps) and N'Dong (Esteghlal, 53 caps) in midfield and Bouanga (Los Angeles FC, 15 goals in 51 caps). The experience of Mario Lemina (Galatasaray, 39 sel) is also valuable. Only striker Vakoun Bayo (Udinese, 3 goals in 11 seasons) is out for Ivory Coast.

Emerse Faé can count on several Ligue 1 players like Guéla Doué (Strasbourg, 14 sel) on the right side of the defense, his number 1 goalkeeper Yahia Fofana (Angers, 31 caps), midfield Seko Fofana (Rennes, 28 sel) or even the less used Gbamin (Metz, 23 sel) and Krasso (Paris FC, 8 goals in 25 sel). Amad Diallo (Manchester United, 13 selections, 4 goals) turned into a scorer during the first two days while Guessand (ex Nice, 16 selections, 2 goals) was content with crumbs. Haller (Utrecht) is out of the competition at a time when Pépé (Villarreal), Adingra (Sunderland), Boga (Nice) and Singo (Galatasaray) have not been called up.