Defending champions Ivory Coast will kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Mozambique at Grand Stade de Marrakech on Wednesday, 24 December 2025.
View our free Ivory Coast vs Mozambique predictions below.
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Ivory Coast vs Mozambique predictions: Low-scoring affair
Key stats
- Nine of Ivory Coast’s last 11 matches across all competitions went below the 2.5-goal threshold.
- Ivory Coast have never lost to Mozambique (W5, D2).
- Mozambique have never won an AFCON game (D4, L11).
Correct score prediction: Ivory Coast 2-0 Mozambique
This will be Mozambique's sixth AFCON appearance, and they failed to win any of their previous 15 group games (D4, L11).
On the other hand, Ivory Coast are not only the defending champions, but they are also one of the most successful teams in the history of this competition, reaching five finals and winning three titles.
Moreover, the Elephants have never lost to Mozambique, with five wins and two draws in their seven previous clashes.
Keeping in mind that Mozambique managed to score only two goals in their previous seven encounters with Ivory Coast, we are confident that the defending champions will win without conceding.
Pre-game odds and win probability:
- HOME: 4/11 (1.36) – 73.3%
- DRAW: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
- AWAY: 17/2 (9.50) – 10.5%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
This will be Ivory Coast's 26th AFCON appearance, and their 11th in a row. Despite being the host nation, the Elephants barely managed to advance to the knockout phase last time out. They finished third in their group, losing two of three group games, including a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea – their biggest defeat in AFCON history.
However, Ivory Coast parted ways with their head coach mid-tournament, bringing in Emerse Fae, who turned their fortunes around, leading the Elephants to their third continental title.
Mozambique, on the other hand, did not get past the group phase last time out. Interestingly, they held their own against two of the most successful teams in the history of the AFCON, with 2-2 draws against seven-time champions Egypt and four-time champions Ghana.
Although Mozambique failed to qualify for the knockout phase in all their previous five outings, they are coming off their best-ever performance at the Nations Cup.
Bearing that in mind, Ivory Coast are the expected winners at 4/11 (1.36). Teams with these odds generally have a 73.3% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Ivory Coast vs Mozambique predictions.
Also, keeping in mind that fewer than three goals were scored in nine of Ivory Coast's last 11 games, under 2.5 total goals has an appealing look at 7/10 (1.70). That one has a 58.8% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: Ivory Coast's dominance to continue?
Ivory Coast have won two of two AFCON encounters between these teams without conceding. They are also undefeated in their seven previous clashes stretching back to March 1986, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Africa - World Cup Qualifying 13/11/21
Ivory Coast
Mozambique
Africa - World Cup Qualifying 03/09/21
Mozambique
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast preview: Eyeing their fourth title
Ivory Coast will aim to be the first team to defend an AFCON title since Egypt in 2010.
The defending champions made a late change to the squad before the commencement of the tournament as the hero of the last final, Sebastian Haller, withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand.
The Elephants will look to start their group campaign on a much better note this time, as compared to the last edition where they snuck into the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.
Predicted lineup: Fofana (GK), Doue, Agbadou, Ndicka, Konan, Kessie, Sangare, Diallo, Diomande, Diakite & Krasso.
Last five matches
- Oman 0-2 Ivory Coast
- Saudi Arabia 1-0 Ivory Coast
- Ivory Coast 3-0 Kenya
- Seychelles 0-7 Ivory Coast
- Gabon 0-0 Ivory Coast
Mozambique preview: First-ever win on the cards?
Head coach Chiquinho Conde retained the key members of the team that featured at the last AFCON edition in Ivory Coast, with 16 of the players returning for another continental ride, while nine others are newcomers.
Former Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava and Geny Catamo are once again the biggest names in the Mozambique ranks. Playing together, the Mambas will collectively try to bite their way into the knockout phase for the first time in history.
Predicted lineup: Ernan (GK), Langa, Mandava, Dove, Nanani, Amade, Kambala, Gildo, Bonde, Witi & Ratifo.
Last five matches
- Angola 4-1 Mozambique
- Chad 2-2 Mozambique
- Morocco 1-0 Mozambique
- Somalia 0-1 Mozambique
- Mozambique 1-2 Guinea
Player to watch: Jean-Philippe Krasso
Jean-Philippe Krasso was Ivory Coast's top performer in the AFCON qualifiers, with five goal contributions in five appearances. The Paris FC forward was on the scoresheet in his last international appearance and will fancy his chances against Mozambique.