AFCON 2025: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique preview, prediction, team news, and head-to-head

The reigning African champions will aim to start this campaign on a strong foot and to prove that they are still the best in the continent. Meanwhile, Mozambique will not let themselves be pushovers in this tournament.

Ivory Coast comes into the 2025 AFCON as defending champions, having won the 2023 edition in dramatic fashion on home soil. They were able to overcome a very determined Super Eagles side to seal their third title.

Under Emerse Fae, the team has stayed in good form. They secured significant wins in World Cup qualifiers, defeating Seychelles 7-0 and Kenya 2-0 to qualify for the global competition.

The Elephants are ranked 42nd in the FIFA world rankings and did not concede a single goal during their qualifying matches. The West African team have a balanced squad, particularly a solid defence that makes them one of the favourites in this AFCON edition.

Mozambique, on the other hand, are seen as underdogs but are known for their tactical discipline. Although they lost 4-1 to Angola in a recent warm-up match, the "Mambas" have shown they can defend well and hit on the counter.

Their main aim in this opener will be to frustrate opponents and try to grab at least a point to boost their chances of making it out of the group.

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Ivory Coast has had the upper hand in this fixture over the years. They have never lost to Mozambique in any competitive match. Out of their last six meetings, the Elephants have won four, while the other two ended in draws.

In their most recent clashes during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Ivory Coast earned a comfortable 3-0 win at home after a goalless draw away. The Ivorian side have also conceded just one goal in their matches against the East African country.

Ivory Coast has been hit with a setback just before the tournament. Key striker Sébastien Haller is out after picking up a hamstring injury while playing for Utrecht. In his place, head coach Emerse Fae has called up Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand.

Defender Wilfried Singo is also expected to miss the tournament due to a long-term injury. Despite these losses, the Elephants still have plenty of quality in the squad, with standout players like Brighton’s Simon Adingra and team captain Franck Kessié ready to step up.

Mozambique, on the other hand, will miss the presence of midfielder Pepo, who was left out of the squad due to a serious knee injury. Their hopes will rest on Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava to hold the defense together and Sporting CP’s Geny Catamo to drive the attack with his creativity.

Ivory Coast (4-3-3): Fofana; Konan, Agbadou, Ndicka, Kossounou; Fofana, Kessie, Sangare; Y. Diomande, Diallo, Guessand

Mozambique (5-2-3): Ernani; Dove, Mexer, Reinildo, Nanani, Langa; Guima, Amade; Witi, Catamo, Ratifo

Even without star striker Sébastien Haller, the Ivory Coast team still looks like a well-oiled machine. The reigning champions are stacked with talent, and you can bank on them to win by placing a bet at Livescorebet.

While the East African side will come into this match as the underdogs, we still expect them to put up a fight and not just let the win be easy for the Elephants.

Prediction: Ivory Coast 2-0 Mozambique

• Bet on Ivory Coast to win

• Over 1.5 goals

• Over 3.5 cards