2025 AFCON Group F Match Preview: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique

Defending champions Ivory Coast begin their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a Group F clash against Mozambique on Wednesday, December 24 at the Grand Stadium of Marrakech, as the Elephants look to make a strong start to their title defence in Morocco.

Both teams begin their campaigns with this fixture, with an opportunity to establish momentum in a group that also includes Cameroon and Gabon, with a strong result expected to set the foundation for advancement to the knockout stages.

Ivory Coast arrive at the tournament carrying the weight of expectation after lifting the AFCON trophy at the previous edition on home soil, where they defeated Nigeria 2–1 in the final to secure their third continental crown, a triumph that reinforced their status as one of Africa’s traditional heavyweights and sees the Elephants return aiming to become the first defending champions to retain the title since Egypt in 2010.

Their preparation for AFCON 2025 has been largely convincing, with Emerse Fae’s side recording four wins, one draw and one defeat in their final six competitive matches before the tournament, scoring 13 goals and conceding just once, ending their build-up with a 2–0 international friendly victory over Oman after previously suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat to Saudi Arabia.

In World Cup qualification, the Elephants produced emphatic performances, including 9–0 and 7–0 home and away victories against Seychelles, a 3–0 win over Kenya, a goalless draw away to Gabon and a 1–0 home success against Burundi, finishing their qualifying matches with 25 goals scored and none conceded.

Ivory Coast’s route to AFCON 2025 qualification was similarly strong as they finished second behind Zambia in their qualifying group to seal a place at the finals, with their consistency across competitive fixtures ensuring continuity and confidence heading into the group-stage opener despite the late setback of losing key striker Sebastien Haller to injury shortly before the tournament.

The recall of experienced figures such as Wilfried Zaha and the continued influence of midfield leaders like Franck Kessie have helped maintain balance within the squad, although Sunderland winger Simon Adingra, who emerged as a breakout figure during Cote d’Ivoire’s title-winning campaign in 2023, has surprisingly not been selected.

Historically, Ivory Coast hold a clear advantage over Mozambique in competitive meetings, having never lost to their opponents across seven meetings in all competitions, winning five and drawing two while scoring 13 goals and conceding just two, with their most meetings during the 2022 World Cup qualification campaign when Ivory Coast earned a goalless draw away in Maputo before recording a 3–0 home victory.

Mozambique enter AFCON 2025 looking to challenge history and defy expectations as they open their campaign against the reigning champions, having qualified for the tournament by finishing second in their qualifying group behind Mali to secure back-to-back AFCON appearances and continue a steady upward trajectory in continental football.

In their last six competitive matches, the Mambas recorded two wins, one draw and three defeats, scoring seven goals and conceding nine, including a defeat to Morocco in a November international friendly before playing out a 2–2 draw with Chad shortly after.

In World Cup qualification, Mozambique claimed a narrow 1–0 win over Somalia and a 2–0 victory against Botswana but suffered defeats to Guinea and Uganda, exposing defensive vulnerabilities against stronger opposition.

Chiquinho Conde’s side have never progressed beyond the group stage in their AFCON history, having previously featured at the finals on five occasions, with qualification for the 2025 edition representing continuity rather than novelty, although the challenge now is translating qualification into competitive results on the biggest stage.

Mozambique have included 42-year-old winger Dominguez in their squad for this month’s AFCON, and the veteran, if he features, would become the second-oldest player to compete at the finals after Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who was 44 years and 21 days old when he featured at the 2017 Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The squad blends experience and youth, with veteran defender Mexer providing leadership at the back alongside Sunderland defender Reinildo, while attacking players such as Geny Catamo are expected to supply energy and creativity.

Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:

Fofana; Konan, Agbadou, Ndicka, Kossounou; Fofana, Kessie, Sangare; Y. Diomande, Diallo, Guessand

Mozambique possible starting lineup:

Ernani; Dove, Mexer, Reinildo, Nanani, Langa; Guima, Amade; Witi, Catamo, Ratifo