Gabon vs Ivory Coast preview

Gabon vs Ivory Coast: AFCON Team News

Gabon coach Thierry Mouuma says his side’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against Ivory Coast is a matter of “honour, pride and glory” after being knocked out by Mozambique 3-2 on Sunday.

The Panthers reached the last 16 on their previous appearance in 2021 but that result, combined with their opening 1-0 defeat to Cameroon, means they will go out regardless of the outcome of their meeting with the holders.

“This is about representing our people,” said former Gabon defender Mouuma Canal Plus. “To start rebuilding more easily, we rebuild on renewal.

“Winning contributes to renewal. We are in that state of mind. The players are motivated and want to finish strong.”

Manchester United midfielder Amad Diallo scored both of Ivory Coast’s goals in Morocco, the Elephants’ 1-0 win over Mozambique, and opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw with Cameroon.

“First place is important but we have to think about the next matches,” manager Emers Fay said.

🎥 Highlights: 🇨🇮 1-1 🇨🇲

A #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 Exciting pic.twitter.com/fGXXf4TJAX

— Total Energy AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 29, 2025

Ivory Coast are level on four points and in a tiebreaker with the Invincible Lions at the top of Group F, one ahead of Mozambique, who also qualified.

Mozambique and Cameroon meet in the final closing group match on Wednesday. The division winners will face Burkina Faso or Sudan in Marrakesh on Tuesday, while the runners-up face South Africa in Rabat at the same time two days earlier and the third-placed team face Nigeria in the phase on Monday, with all three potential fixtures starting at 19:00 GMT (14:00 ET/01PT).

Gabon vs Ivory Coast Team News

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a mixed AFCON, after arriving as an early substitute against Mozambique with a thigh injury and scoring a goal in the loss to Mozambique.

Gabon’s all-time top scorer has now returned to club side Marseille and will miss the game against Ivory Coast.

Aston Villa forward Ivan Goosend, Nottingham Forest defender Willy Boley and former Crystal Palace and Manchester United livewire Wilfried Zaha are among the players likely to move to the Ivory Coast.

Gabon vs Ivory Coast: AFCON 2025 predicted line-ups

Gabon Starting XI: Lois Mbaba, Anthony Onono, Bruno Ikule Manga, Mick Omfia, Mr.

Ivory Coast Starting XI: Yahia Fofana, Guella Due, Odilon Kosonou, Ivan Ndika, Ghislaine Conan, Seko Fofana, Jean Seri, Willy Boley, Wakaun Bio, Wilfried Zaha, Ivan Gussand

How to Watch Gabon vs Ivory Coast: TV Channel, Live Online Stream

Kick-off on Wednesday is at 19:00 GMT (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven and More4. In the USA, beIN is a sports tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a wide range of devices via Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.

Gabon vs Ivory Coast: AFCON 2025 Stats

• This is of Gabon Sixth group-stage elimination in nine AFCON appearances after also exiting by this point in 1994, 2000, 2010, 2015 and 2017
• Their last four AFCON appearances in 2021 saw their only progress beyond the group stage
• Against Mozambique, Gabon lost three AFCON matches for the first time since losing 3–1 to Algeria in their second group game in 2000.
• One of their last 11 AFCON matches has ended victoriously (D6 L4), having won four of the previous five (D1).
• Gabon have never lost all three group matches in a single AFCON edition; In 1994 they lost both their group games, a tournament with only three teams per group.
• The victory over Mozambique was Ivory Coast’s 49th AFCON victory at the AFCON; The others would make them the fourth nation to reach 50, after Egypt (61), Nigeria (60) and Ghana (54).
• They have scored in their last six AFCON matches, last failing to net in their final group game against Equatorial Guinea in 2023.
• Fay is unbeaten at AFCON during his reign (W3 D2).
• Ivory Coast advanced to the third consecutive tournament, last exiting at the group stage in 2017
• Their record in final group-stage matches is W11 D4 L9