In the second round of the CAF World Cup qualifiers in Group F, Gambia is set to face Ivory Coast at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Tanzania on Monday afternoon.
Despite a 3-2 opening defeat to Burundi, Gambia, under the guidance of Tom Saintfiet, enters the match with confidence, having recently qualified for a third consecutive Africa Cup of Nations. They aim to rebound and demonstrate improvement as the tournament unfolds.
Ivory Coast, leading the group after an impressive 9-0 win against Seychelles, showcases a star-studded squad under coach Jean-Louis Gasset. The Elephants aim to secure another victory, extending their unbeaten streak and highlighting their attacking prowess.
With six previous encounters resulting in four wins for Ivory Coast and two for Gambia, this meeting marks their first in a decade. The Elephants, ranked 52nd globally, are favored not only to win this match but also to top the group.
Team News:
Gambia's Musa Barrow, scorer in the previous game, is expected to lead the line with support from Assan Ceesay. Colley and Adams will contribute from the left flank and midfield, respectively.
Ivory Coast anticipates the return of Wilfried Zaha, while Nicolas Pepe, absent in the last match, is expected back. Fofana, who scored last week, might get the nod, potentially moving Konate to the bench.
KICKOFF TIME:
The match is scheduled to kick off at 16:00 GMT (4:00 PM).
PREDICTION:
Gambia 1-3 Ivory Coast
