Egypt vs Ivory Coast Prediction & Betting Tips (10 January)

Egypt trembled in the round of 16 against Benin. The seven-time winner of the African Cup of Nations conceded the equalizer late in the match and had to go through extra time to qualify for the quarter-finals 3-1, ap. Well helped by their victories at the start of the competition against Zimbabwe 2-1 and South Africa 0-1, Mohamed Salah's Pharaohs retained control of their group despite a disappointing points sharing against Angola 0-0. The selection is already doing better than at the last CAN, scene of an exit in the round of 16. Since its last continental title dating back to the 2010 edition, it has at best reached the semi-finals of the competition, in 2017 and 2021. Ivory Coast came within three steps of a title that it aims to retain, after having shone in its round of 16 which pitted it against Burkina Faso 3-0.

The break was already made at the half-hour mark for the Elephants, who were only contested by Cameroon 1-1 in this CAN, in a poster for the 2nd day of the group stage. At the same time, they secured successes against Mozambique 1-0 and Gabon 2-3 to secure, not without difficulty, first position in Group F. The national team is returning to a very good level under the leadership of Emerse Faé, who became the coach of Côte d'Ivoire in the middle of CAN 2023 before taking his players to the title. The former Nantes player has since qualified his team for the 2026 World Cup, which will mark the return of the Ivorians to the competition after twelve years of absence. 

Egypt deplores the loss of several starters compared to the round of 16. While midfielder Attia (Al Ahly, 29 caps) is suspended for this meeting, left back Hamdi (Pyramids FC, 36 sel) is out for the rest of the competition and offensive asset Trezeguet (Al Ahly, 22 goals in 88 sel) withdraws from this clash without drawing a line under the possible deadlines to follow. Liverpool player Mohamed Salah (112 caps, 66 goals), flagship player of the selection, scored his third goal of the tournament at the end of extra time and will be expected to be in good shape in the opposing area. Marmoush (42 appearances, 9 goals) will be the other offensive player of the day for the Pharaons. The Manchester City striker is stuck with one goal in this CAN. Ivory Coast cannot count on its midfielder Inao Oulaï (5 sel). Established for the last two matches, the Trabzonspor player must serve a one-match suspension.

Striker Vakoun Bayo (Udinese, 3 goals in 11 games) made his return in the last match but remains confined to the sidelines. The Elephants should therefore be almost complete against Egypt, with Guéla Doué (Strasbourg, 16 caps), Kossounou (Atalanta, 33 caps), Ndicka (AS Roma, 26 caps) and Konan (Gil Vicente, 50 caps) who are immovable in defense. The just centenarian Kessié (Al-Ahli) is a strong link in the team in midfield behind Amad Diallo (15 sels, 5 goals) in great form. Scorer in the round of 16, the Manchester United striker has 3 goals in the tournament. The young RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomandé (8 selections, 3 goals) has just unlocked his counter.