Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Match Preview
Group F concludes on New Year’s Eve with a decisive clash at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Wednesday, 31 December 2025. Defending champions Ivory Coast are on the brink of the knockout stages, sitting joint-top of the group with 4 points. After a tense 1–1 draw with fellow heavyweights Cameroon, the Elephants need a result to secure qualification and potentially top the group.
For Gabon, the tournament has ended in heartbreak. Having lost their opening two matches—including a chaotic 2–3 defeat to Mozambique despite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace—the Panthers are mathematically eliminated due to their head-to-head record against Mozambique. They will play this final fixture for pride, looking to upset the title holders before heading home.
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Match Info
- Competition: Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (Group Stage – Matchday 3)
- Venue: Grand Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech (Capacity: 45,240)
- Date: Wednesday, 31 December 2025
- Kickoff: 19:00 GMT | 20:00 WAT | 22:00 EAT
- Referee: TBC (CAF Appointment)
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Match Stakes
Gabon (4th — 0 pts):
- Win → Moves to 3 pts; restores pride but cannot alter their 4th place finish (lost H2H vs Mozambique).
- Draw → Ends the tournament with a point.
- Loss → Confirms a disastrous campaign with 0 points from 3 games.
Ivory Coast (2nd — 4 pts):
- Win → Moves to 7 pts; guarantees qualification and likely tops Group F (depending on Cameroon vs Mozambique goal difference).
- Draw → Moves to 5 pts; secures qualification to the Round of 16.
- Loss → Remains on 4 pts; could drop to 3rd if Mozambique beats Cameroon, leaving qualification to the “Best 3rd Place” table.
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Team News
Gabon:
- Aubameyang P. — Available (Scored 2 goals vs Mozambique; playing for pride).
- Lemina M. — Available (Midfield engine).
- Bouanga D. — Available (Key threat on the wing).
- Defensive Fragility: After conceding 4 goals in 2 games, manager Thierry Mouyouma may rotate the backline.
Ivory Coast:
- Haller S. — Out (Hamstring Injury – Ruled out of tournament).
- Diallo A. — Available (In red-hot form; scored vs Cameroon and Mozambique).
- Kessie F. — Available (Captain & Midfield General).
- Adingra S. — Available (Likely to start on the wing).
- Guessand E. — Available (Called up as Haller replacement; option off the bench).
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Gabon
- 28/12 — 2–3 vs Mozambique (AFCON)
- 25/12 — 0–1 vs Cameroon (AFCON)
- 13/11 — 1–4 vs Nigeria (WC Qualifier)
- 15/10 — 2–0 vs Burundi (WC Qualifier)
- 10/10 — 4–3 vs Gambia (WC Qualifier)
Ivory Coast
- 29/12 — 1–1 vs Cameroon (AFCON)
- 24/12 — 1–0 vs Mozambique (AFCON)
- 18/11 — 2–0 vs Oman (Friendly)
- 14/11 — 0–1 vs Saudi Arabia (Friendly)
- 15/10 — 3–0 vs Kenya (WC Qualifier)
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 10/09/2025 — Gabon 0–0 Ivory Coast (WC Qualifier)
- 08/06/2024 — Ivory Coast 1–0 Gabon (WC Qualifier)
- 05/09/2017 — Ivory Coast 1–2 Gabon (WC Qualifier)
- 02/09/2017 — Gabon 0–3 Ivory Coast (WC Qualifier)
- 04/06/2016 — Ivory Coast 2–1 Gabon (Friendly)
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Gabon (4-3-3)
Mbaba; Oyono, Appindangoye, Ecuele Manga, Obiang; Kanga, Lemina, Ndong; Bouanga, Aubameyang, Allevinah
Ivory Coast (4-3-3)
Fofana; Singo, Diomande, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, Fofana S.; Diallo, Krasso, Adingra
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Impact Bench
Gabon: Babicka (Pace), Sambissa (Creative option)
Ivory Coast: Pepe (Experience), Boga (Dribbling), Guessand (Physical striker)
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Tactical Analysis
Gabon
Gabon’s tournament has been undone by defensive errors. Against Mozambique, they looked dangerous going forward with Aubameyang and Bouanga, but were wide open in transition. Playing for pride, they are likely to play with freedom, which could make them dangerous but also vulnerable to Ivory Coast’s clinical counter-attacks.
Ivory Coast
Without Sebastien Haller, the Elephants have relied on the brilliance of Amad Diallo, who has scored in both group games. Emerse Faé’s side is disciplined and dominates the midfield through Franck Kessie. Against a Gabon side that leaks goals (conceding 3 vs Mozambique, 4 vs Nigeria recently), Ivory Coast will look to control possession and exploit the spaces on the wings with Diallo and Adingra.
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Key Battles
- Aubameyang vs Ndicka — Veteran striker vs Elite defender.
- Kessie vs Lemina — Premier League quality battle in midfield.
- Diallo vs Obiang — The tournament’s form player vs Gabon’s left-back.
- Bouanga vs Singo — Pace battle on the flank.
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Spotlight Players
Gabon — Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Despite the team’s elimination, the captain showed his class with a brace against Mozambique. He will want to bow out of what could be his final AFCON with a goal against the defending champions.
Ivory Coast — Amad Diallo
The Manchester United winger has stepped up in Haller’s absence, becoming the talisman for the Elephants. His dribbling and finishing have been the difference-maker in Group F so far.
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Prediction
Gabon 1–3 Ivory Coast
Gabon have conceded 8 goals in their last 3 competitive matches and have nothing left to play for but pride. Ivory Coast need a result to ensure a favorable knockout draw. The disparity in motivation and defensive organization suggests a comfortable win for the Elephants to close out 2025.
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Betting Insights
- Ivory Coast to Win — High Probability
- Amad Diallo to Score — High Value (Scored in last 2 games)
- Over 2.5 Goals — Likely (Gabon’s defense is porous)
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — Where to Watch
- International: beIN Sports, Canal+ Afrique
- UK: Sky Sports Football
- Streaming: CAF TV (YouTube – Selected Regions)
Gabon vs Ivory Coast — FAQs
Q: When is the Gabon vs Ivory Coast match?
A: The match kicks off on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, at 19:00 GMT.
Q: Is Gabon eliminated?
A: Yes. Even with a win, they cannot overtake Mozambique due to the head-to-head rule (lost 2–3).
Q: Is Sebastien Haller playing?
A: No, he has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury.
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