Ivory Coast and Chad draw the curtain on their quest for a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when they lock horns at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Tuesday.
Both sides have had a contrasting campaign, with Les Sao one of just seven nations without a win as they sit rooted to the bottom of the Group G standings while the Elephants will be looking to finish as group winners.
Match preview
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Ivory Coast were left empty handed for a second consecutive game in the AFCON qualifiers as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Zambia in their top-of-the-table clash at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Friday.
Young African Sports Club forward Kennedy Musonda netted on the stroke of half-time to hand the Chipolopolo a first-half lead before they turned in a defensive show of class in the second half to see out all three points.
Before that, Ivory Coast kicked off their qualifying campaign with three consecutive victories, seeing off Zambia, Chad and Sierra Leone before crashing down to earth in a 1-0 loss to the Leone Stars in the return fixture on October 15.
Despite their recent slump, Emerse Fae's men have secured their spot in Morocco next year as they sit second in Group F with nine points from their five matches, four points above third-placed Sierra Leone with just one game to go.
After two consecutive defeats on their travels, Ivory Coast now return home, where they have won each of their last seven matches — a run which saw them clinch the 2023 AFCON crown in January, when they beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final as hosts nation.
On the other hand, Chad were left with a sour taste of disappointment once again as they could only salvage a 1-1 draw against Sierra Leone at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium last Wednesday.
After falling behind to Abu Dumbuya's 29th-minute opener, Mahamat Thiam converted from the spot in the 34th minute to grab Chad's first goal in the qualifiers and pull them level before both sides cancelled out each other's efforts in the second half.
It has been a forgettable qualifying campaign for Les Sao, who have now failed to taste victory in any of their five matches in Group G, losing twice and claiming three draws while conceding four goals and scoring just once so far.
With Wednesday's stalemate, Kevin Nicaise's men have now gone seven back-to-back matches without a win across all competitions, claiming three draws and losing four, including consecutive defeats against Central African Republic and Comoros in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.
Chad's wait for a first-ever AFCON appearance goes on as they sit rock-bottom in Group G with three points from a possible 12 while they are also rooted to the bottom of Group I in the World Cup qualifiers, having lost each of their four games.
Team News
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Having netted eight goals in their opening three matches, Ivory Coast have failed to find the back of the net in their last two games and Fae could ring the changes at the attacking end of the pitch on Tuesday.
Brighton and Hove Albion forward Simon Adingra should make way for 27-year-old Jeremie Boga while Oumar Diakite and Watford striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo will push for starting roles in the front three.
At the defensive end of the pitch, Evan Ndicka and Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande should form the center-back pairing once again while skipper Franck Kessie should retain his role at the heart of the park.
Following a solid display against Sierra Leone, Nicaise could name a similar Chad XI on Tuesday, with 21-year-old Wiliam Damba and skipper Marius Mouandilmadji forming the two-man attack once again.
Having scored Les Sao's first goal in the qualifiers last time out, Thiam should retain his role at the centre of the park, teaming up with Ahmat Moussa Youssouf and Oujeda midfielder Sindou Yeo.
Ahmad Toure Ngouyamsa, Eric Mbangossoum, Charles Tchouplaou, Marvin Assane and Joseph Antoine Na'a should form the back five once again shielding Allabatna Gabin between the sticks.
Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:
Fofana; Operi, Ndicka, Diomande, Singo; Fofana, Aholou, Kessie; Boga, Bayo, Krasso
Chad possible starting lineup:
Gabin; Ngouyamsa, Mbangossoum, Tchouplaou, Assane, Na'a; Thiam, Youssouf, Yeo; Damba, Mouandilmadji
We say: Ivory Coast 2-0 Chad
After a blistering start to the campaign, Ivory Coast have suffered consecutive defeats in their last two outings and will be looking to stop the rot in front of their home supporters.
Given the gulf in quality and depth between the two nations, we are backing the Elephants to come away with a comfortable victory at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.
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