Gabon vs Ivory Coast Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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The Gabonese have been much-improved in recent years but they have struggled in this competition as they take on defending champions the Ivory Coast on New Year’s Eve.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo
Gabon preview: Frustrated Gabon
Gabon were impressive in qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and they have some real quality players in their squad, most notably captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but they have suffered back-to-back losses in the so-called ‘group of death’.
They began their campaign with a slender 1-0 loss to the chaotic Cameroonians in their opener before then falling short in a thrilling and topsy turvy encounter against Mozambique, losing by three goals to two.
Ivory Coast preview: Impressive Ivorians
Coached by Emerse Fae, who took charge mid-way through the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in mid-2024 and led Les Elephants to glory, the Ivory Coast are truly one of the very best teams on the continent once again.
The Ivorians have started with four points collected form their opening two games with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Cameroon backing up a slender 1-0 win against Mozambique in their opener.
Gabon team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns for this one and, even though they are already eliminated, they could name an unchanged eleven against the Ivorians.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mbaba; Oyono, Ecuele Manga, Lemina, Ekoime; Poko, D. Ndong, Kanga; Babicka, Aubameyang, Bouanga
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Ivory Coast team news: Attacking frustration
After the withdrawal of Sebastian Haller before the tournament began, there are concerns over the form of Charlotte attacker Wilfried Zaha.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Y. Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, S. Fofana, Sangare; Diallo, Bayo, Diomande
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Gabon vs Ivory Coast prediction
Gabon come into this one on the back of a very frustrating couple of months. After narrowly missing out on 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, they have also been left deflated by this AFCON campaign. They will likely simply want it to be out of the way now and so siding with the Ivorians, in a probably low-scoring affair, would appear a reasonable bet here.
Gabon vs Ivory Coast tip: Ivory Coast to win & under 3.5 goals
