The Stats Zone
October 14 2024, 15:32 · Alex Lawes

Sierra Leone vs Ivory Coast Preview & Prediction | 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group G

Sierra Leone vs Ivory Coast Preview & Prediction | 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group G

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These two sides faced each other at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro in the Ivory Coast the other day and the defending African champions hammered Sierra Leone by four goals to one as they continue to improve and grow again.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Tuesday 15th October, 2024 - UK – 5:00pm / US ET – 12:00pm / US PT – 9:00am

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – beIN Sports streaming platforms

SIERRA LEONE PREVIEW: AVERAGE SIERRA LEONE

Captained by Steven Caulker and coached by Amidu Karim, the Sierra Leone national football team are currently ranked 125th in the world and are generally quite average, despite the fact that they have improved somewhat in the last few years.

Sierra Leone were hammered by four goals to one in the Ivory Coast the other day and that follows on from beginning their 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a goalless draw at home to Chad and a 3-2 defeat to Zambia last month.

IVORY COAST PREVIEW: IVORIANS ON A ROLL

Coached by former Reading midfielder Emerse Fae, who took over mid-way through the actual tournament itself, the Ivory Coast managed to produce a miracle to win the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast earlier this year.

Since then they have continued to become quite machine-like in their ability to pick up results and their 4-1 defeat of Sierra Leone the other day backed up back-to-back 2-0 victories last month against Zambia and Chad.

SIERRA LEONE TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT SIERRA LEONE

The home team have no injury issues or suspension concerns for this clash with the Ivory Coast so they will be able to name an unchanged eleven. However, there may be a temptation to change and get either Sullay Kaikai or Mustapha Bundu into the eleven.

PREDICTED XI (5-4-1): Kamara; Jalloh, Kabia, Caulker, Sillah, Samadia; Koroma, Fornah, Conteh, Kaikai; Bakayoko

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

IVORY COAST TEAM NEWS: ADDITIONAL HEADING HERE

Ivory Coast’s side has changed somewhat since their AFCON triumph earlier this year but Les Elephants have been no worse for it with the excellent form of Villarreal winger Nicolas Pepe and Roma defender Evan Ndicka.

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Y. Fofana; Singo, Agbadou, Ndicka, Operi; S. Fofana, Seri, Kessie; Pepe, Krasso, Guessand

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

SIERRA LEONE VS IVORY COAST PREDICTION

Sierra Leone do have a bit of EFL pedigree within their squad, especially in attack, with the aforementioned Kaikai and Bundu as well as former Bolton Wanderers and Coventry City striker Amadou Bakayoko. Ivory Coast can pretty much wrap up AFCON qualification with a victory here and, given how they dismantled their opposition the other day, another Ivorian victory is to be expected.

SIERRA LEONE VS IVORY COAST TIP: IVORY COAST TO WIN