Reigning champions Ivory Coast launch their Africa Cup of Nations title protection on Wednesday after they face Mozambique in a Group F opener on the Grand Stadium of Marrakech, carrying each expectation and historical past right into a event that has hardly ever been variety to reigning holders.
The Elephants arrive in Morocco decided to buck a long-standing development: no defending champion has retained the AFCON crown since Egypt in 2010.
For the Ivory Coast, winners on dwelling soil in 2023 after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Nigeria within the remaining, the problem isn’t just to begin effectively, however to show their triumph was the start of a cycle, not a one-off.
Emerse Fae’s facet enter the event with type and confidence largely intact.
Ivory Coast have gained 4 of their final six aggressive matches, drawing one and shedding one, scoring 13 targets and conceding simply as soon as.
Their build-up ended with a composed 2-0 pleasant win over Oman, recovering from a slender defeat to Saudi Arabia earlier within the window.
World Cup qualifying additional underlined their dominance.
The Elephants swept apart Seychelles dwelling and away by a mixed 16-0 scoreline, defeated Kenya 3-0, edged Burundi 1-0 and held Gabon to a goalless draw on the highway, ending the section with 25 targets scored and none conceded – a statistical assertion of management at each ends of the pitch.
AFCON qualification adopted a equally regular path as Ivory Coast completed second behind Zambia of their group, making certain continuity slightly than reinvention heading into the finals.
That stability has been examined by the late lack of Sebastien Haller, the striker dominated out with a hamstring harm shortly earlier than the event, however Fae has leaned on expertise to regular the squad.
Wilfried Zaha returns to offer attacking depth, Franck Kessie stays the heartbeat of midfield, and Jean-Michael Seri’s restoration from an extended harm layoff provides composure and management in central areas.
Aston Villa ahead Evann Guessand has been drafted in to exchange Haller, whereas notable omissions embody Simon Adingra – a breakout star of the 2023 triumph – and Nicolas Pepe, each overlooked because of health and off-field issues.
Historical past additionally tilts closely in Ivory Coast’s favor.
The Elephants are unbeaten in seven earlier conferences with Mozambique, profitable 5 and drawing two, conceding simply twice.
Their most up-to-date encounters got here through the 2022 World Cup qualifying, when a goalless attract Maputo was adopted by a commanding 3-0 win at dwelling.
Mozambique, nonetheless, arrive with quiet perception and little to lose. Again-to-back AFCON {qualifications} sign progress beneath coach Chiquinho Conde, even when tangible success on the finals has up to now proved elusive.
The Mambas have by no means superior past the group stage in 5 earlier appearances, and this opening fixture represents each a frightening check and a chance to reset expectations.
Their latest type has been combined – two wins, one draw and three defeats of their final six aggressive outings – with defensive fragility uncovered in opposition to stronger opposition in World Cup qualifiers, the place victories over Somalia and Botswana had been offset by losses to Guinea and Uganda.
Mozambique’s squad blends youth, expertise and a contact of historical past.
Veteran winger Dominguez, 42, has been included and will turn out to be the second-oldest participant ever to characteristic on the AFCON, behind Egypt’s Essam El Hadary.
On the again, skilled defenders Mexer, Reinildo, Bruno Langa and Edmilson Dove anchor the protection, whereas the midfield leans on Guima, Alfons Amade and Dominguez for construction and creativity.
Sporting Lisbon ahead Geny Catamo stays the point of interest in assault, supported by Gildo Vilanculos, Stanley Ratifo, Witi and Faizal Bangal, tasked with injecting tempo and directness in opposition to one of many continent’s most disciplined sides.
Mozambique can be with out influential midfielder Pepo, sidelined by a severe knee harm, and winger Clesio Bauque, omitted for technical causes – absences that additional slender their margin for error.
Leave a Reply