Ivory Coast vs Cameroon Preview: Team News & Prediction

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We have two of the strongest and most storied teams in Africa now facing off in the so-called ‘group of death’, Group F, as the Ivory Coast take on Cameroon.

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

Ivory Coast preview: Champions of Africa

Defending champions the Ivory Coast have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014 and Les Elephants, under the management of Emerse Fae, are seeking to create something of a dynasty by defending their AFCON title.

The Ivorians began their group stage campaign with a slender 1-0 defeat of Mozambique at Stade de Marrakech the other day, courtesy of a 49th minute strike from versatile Manchester United attacker Amad Diallo.

Cameroon preview: Chaotic Cameroonians

Cameroon endured a tough FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign which ended in them finishing below Cape Verde in the group stages and then losing to Cape Verde in the CAF playoffs, leading to some turmoil behind the scenes.

Marc Brys named a squad, dismissing the idea that he had been sacked by Samuel Eto’o, but the former Oud-Heverlee Leuven has now taken a step back, amid suggestions he would take legal action against Eto’o.

Ivory Coast team news: Fully fit

There is no need for the Ivorians to make any changes for this one and they should name an unchanged eleven, with perhaps an even better squad than in early 2024 when they won the tournament.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Seri, Sangare; Diallo, Zaha, Diomande

Unavailable: 

Questionable: 

Cameroon team news: Impressive attack

Some key men from the Cameroonian squad have been left out by interim coach Denis Pagou, but there is a striking partnership being formed between Bryan Mbeumo and Karl Etta Eyong.

Predicted XI (3-4-3): Epassy; Malone Junior, Kotto, Tolo; Tchamadeu, Avom, Baleba, Yongwa; Mbeumo, Eyong, Loader

Unavailable: 

Questionable: 

Ivory Coast vs Cameroon prediction

These are two of the bigger sides on the African continent. The Ivory Coast have a lot of quality and a lot more depth than they have had in the past, especially in comparison to the team that won the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in early 2024, which they hosted. The Cameroonians are a team in chaos off the pitch and decline on it, so siding with the Ivorians is the way to go for this second group stage fixture.

Ivory Coast vs Cameroon tip: Double chance – Ivory Coast to win or draw