Ivory Coast vs. Mozambique  Prediction on December 24, 2025

Match info

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is Africa’s premier men’s international football tournament, contested by the continent’s top national teams under the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It carries immense prestige: continental glory, pride and international exposure, and — for many squads — momentum toward future World Cup qualification. AFCON’s standalone status in the football calendar additionally enhances interest among global audiences and betting sites for football markets, where matchups like Ivory Coast vs Mozambique attract both performance and upset-potential interest.

For the Ivory Coast, this encounter is especially significant: It’s the defending AFCON champion, having lifted the title in the previous edition, and begins their title defence with this Group F opener. Mozambique, by contrast, returns to the finals after missing several editions and approaches the game with the aim of proving it belongs at this level and is capable of challenging better-ranked opposition.

The match will start on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, with the local kick-off time at 17:30 WET (Western European Time) and will be contested at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Marrakech, Morocco. This modern stadium has a capacity of over 40,000 spectators and regularly stages high-profile international fixtures, making it a vibrant setting for the defending champion’s group opener.

Meeting statistics

Current form and & playstyle: Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast, historically one of Africa’s strongest sides, enters this tournament with a blend of tactical discipline and attacking talent. Under coach Emerse Faé, “The Elephants” characteristically deploy a structured 4-3-3 formation that emphasises controlled possession and quick transitions. Their midfield — spearheaded by influential figures like Franck Kessié — combines defensive cover with creative support, while wide attackers such as Wilfried Zaha stretch defenses and provide penetration from the flanks.

However, Ivory Coast faces a notable absence in this match: star striker Sébastien Haller, hero of the 2023 finals, is ruled out through injury. This forces them to adapt their direct attacking threat and lean on younger forwards like Evann Guessand for goals, which may slightly alter their usual rhythm.

Current form & playstyle: Mozambique

Mozambique, on the other hand, is a side built around resilience and opportunism. Much of its recent rhythm has come from defensive solidity in qualifying and cultivating moments in transition, often lined up in a compact 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 setup designed to absorb pressure and counterattack.

Featuring seasoned veterans like midfielder Domingues — who, at age 42, could become one of the oldest AFCON participants — and reliable defensive figures such as Mexer, “The Mambas” seek to stay organized and make the most of set-pieces or quick breaks. Their style emphasizes structure and discipline, recognizing that they may cede possession to stronger sides, such as the Ivory Coast.

Head-to-head

Historically, the Ivory Coast holds a clear advantage in head-to-head matchups against Mozambique; Mozambique has yet to register a win in this pairing. They’ve met six times over the past decades, with the Ivory Coast securing four wins and two draws.

Match analytics

Ivory Coast is the clear favorite to win this Group F opener. Their more substantial squad depth, recent tournament pedigree, and historical dominance in head-to-head matchups point toward a confident performance, although Mozambique’s disciplined approach could keep the scoreline tighter than some expect. If you’re targeting a slightly broader margin, the one below can offer enhanced odds on betting platforms:

Tip: Cote d’Ivoire Win By Two or Three Goals, Yes at 2.52 odds on Red Star Sports.