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Cote d'Ivoire will welcome Zambia to Stade de la Paix in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign opener on Friday. The hosts are the defending AFCON champions and lifted their third title in February.
Zambia were back in the competition for the first time since 2017 in January but failed to make it past the group stage.
Les Éléphants are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions and in their previous outing, they were held to a goalless draw by Kenya in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.
Chipolopolo have suffered five consecutive losses across all competitions, failing to score in the last four. They last played in the COFASA Cup in July and were eliminated from the group stage.
Cote d'Ivoire vs Zambia Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- There is not much history between the two teams and they have met 11 times in all competitions. The visitors have the upper hand in these meetings, leading 7-3 in wins while just one meeting between the two sides has ended in a draw.
- They last met in the group stage of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, with both teams recording home wins.
- Interestingly, the first eight meetings between the two teams produced under 2.5 goals but the last three games in this fixture have seen over 2.5 goals.
- The Copper Bullets are winless in their last five games in the AFCON qualifiers, recording four wins, including a 3-1 win over Ivory Coast in June last year.
- Les Éléphants have suffered just one loss in their last 10 games in the AFCON qualifiers, with that loss coming against the visitors.
- The defending AFCON champions have won their last eight home games in the AFCON qualifiers.
Cote d'Ivoire vs Zambia Prediction
The Elephants head into the match on an eight-game unbeaten streak, recording six wins. They have won their last eight home games in the AFCON qualifiers, scoring 20 goals, and will look to build on that form. They have won their last two home meetings against Zambia and are strong favorites.
Emerse Fae has named a strong squad for the two qualifiers, with star players Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, and Sebastien Haller all making the cut.
The Copper Bullets have registered just one win in their 11 games in 2024, suffering five consecutive losses. They have suffered just one loss in their last four away games in the AFCON qualifiers, with that loss coming against Les Éléphants last June.
Frankie Musonda and Patson Daka are sidelined with injuries while Fashion Sakala has been left out due to personal reasons by Avram Grant.
Considering the current form of the two teams and home advantage for the defending champions, Cote d'Ivoire are expected to register a comfortable win, and the odds of a clean sheet also look good.
Prediction: Cote d'Ivoire 2-0 Zambia
Cote d'Ivoire vs Zambia Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Cote d'Ivoire to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Simon Adingra to score or assist any time - Yes
