Our prediction for this Africa Cup of Nations 2024 match:
There will be fireworks when Mali and Ivory Coast square off against each other at Stade de la Paix in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16. Les Aigles set up a meeting with the Elephants by beating Burkina Faso 2-1, but they face a tough challenge against the tournament hosts. Amadou Haidara limped off with injury in the last league match, with Diadie Samassekou likely to step up.
Ivory Coast, on the other hand, survived Senegal in the last 16, with the team beating Sadio Mane and Co. on penalties. The Elephants quickly bounced back from a massive 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea and seeing that Stade de la Paix will be packed, away win should be considered. There are no fresh injury worries in Emerse Fae’s team ahead of the last 16 clash. In their last meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations Ivory Coast defeated Mali 1-0 thanks to Wilfried Zaha’s goal.
Highlighted Team (Ivory Coast):
Over the years Ivory Coast have established themselves as one of the best African teams. The Elephants won their second Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 2015, with the team beating Ghana in the final of the tournament. Ivory Coast defeated the Black Stars on penalties and it has to be noted that goalkeeper Boubacar Barry scored the winner.
A number of high-profile footballers played (or play) for the Ivory Coast national team, but, no doubt, the most notable players are Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Salomon Kalou and Gervinho. Ivory Coast are well known for their orange kit, but they play their away games in green shirts and green shorts. Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny is regarded as the team’s home stadium.
Didier Zokora is the player with the most caps for the Ivory Coast national team (123), while aforementioned attacker Didier Drogba is the team’s top scorer (65 goals). Drogba is the symbol of the Ivory Coast football and the former Chelsea man played for the national team from 2002 to 2014.