Ivory Coast and Cameroon will lock horns in a crucial Group F encounter at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, December 28, in Marrakesh. Both sides are coming off opening wins, and victory for either team would virtually secure progression to the knockout stages.
Match Preview: Ivory Coast Eye Historic Title Defence
Ivory Coast begin their title defence on a high after a narrow 1-0 victory over Mozambique in their opening fixture. Manchester United forward Amad Diallo’s second-half strike sealed the win for the Elephants, who maintained control throughout.
Managed by Emerse Fae, Ivory Coast have continued the disciplined, possession-based style that saw them crowned champions at the 2023 AFCON. Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare anchor a midfield that has dictated play while keeping the side defensively solid.
The Elephants are unbeaten in five of their last six competitive matches (W4, D1, L1), scoring 13 goals and conceding just one. A win on Sunday would make them the first nation since Egypt in 2010 to defend the AFCON title successfully.
Historically, Ivory Coast hold a slight edge over Cameroon in head-to-heads, with 10 wins, 2 draws, and 9 losses in 21 meetings, remaining unbeaten in their last five encounters (3W, 1D, 1L).
Cameroon Seek Consistency Amid Off-Field Challenges
Cameroon, five-time AFCON winners, also come into this fixture on three points following a 1-0 win over Gabon. Bryan Mbeumo assisted Karl Etta Eyong for a first-half goal, confirmed after VAR, marking Eyong’s first senior international strike and the second-fastest in Cameroonian AFCON history.
Head coach David Pagou has guided the Indomitable Lions through a turbulent build-up with resilience and tactical discipline. Cameroon have been compact defensively while adopting a measured attacking approach, showing their enduring pedigree in tight, low-scoring AFCON matches.
Their last six matches have yielded 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 defeats, including impressive World Cup qualifying victories over Eswatini and Mauritius. A win on Sunday would position Cameroon strongly in the group ahead of the final round.
Form Guide
Ivory Coast (AFCON 2025): W
Ivory Coast (All Competitions): D W W L W W
Cameroon (AFCON 2025): W
Cameroon (All Competitions): W L W D L W
Team News
Ivory Coast: Jean-Michael Seri returns from injury to start in midfield. Wilfried Zaha was withdrawn in the opener and may make way for Vakoun Bayo, while Diallo is expected to start. Oumar Diakite, Willy Boly, and Evann Guessand are pushing for recalls.
Possible XI: Fofana; Doue, Ndicka, Kossounou, Konan; Seri, Kessie, Sangare; Y. Diomande, Diallo, Zaha
Cameroon: No new injuries reported. Mbeumo, Carlos Baleba, and Eyong are expected to start, while Devis Epassy retains goalkeeping duties in the absence of Andre Onana and senior figures Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Possible XI: Epassy; Malone, Koto, Tolo, Tchamadeu, Yongwa; Baleba, Ebong, Namaso; Mbeumo, Eyong
Prediction: Ivory Coast to Edge Cameroon
Ivory Coast’s superior quality and depth should give them the edge over Cameroon, whose relative inexperience may be exposed against the defending champions. Expect the Elephants to leverage their attacking prowess and clinical finishing to secure victory.
Prediction: Ivory Coast 3-1 Cameroon
