Ivory Coast will seek to start its qualifying campaign for the CAN well by getting the better of Zambia.
Reigning African champion, Ivory Coast will not have the chance to be exempted from qualifying for the next edition of the CAN. It must begin the defense of its property this Friday with a duel against Zambia at home.
Ivory Coast – Zambia is a remake of the 2012 CAN final. The one that saw Didier Drogba and his teammates lose in the penalty shootout. A long time has passed since then, but the Ivorians have not forgotten this affront. Thus, it is above all with a spirit of revenge that they challenge the Chipolopolo.
Ivory Coast has a score to settle with Zambia
Since their continental triumph, the Zambians have nevertheless returned to the ranks. They were not present at the last edition of the African Cup. Their performance is no longer what it was and it is therefore with the desire to regain their former glory that they begin their qualifying campaign this Friday. However, there was a better program than facing the title holder at the start.
Still led by Emerse Faé, the Elephants will want to make an impression at home. Although they are capable of the worst as well as the best in front of their home crowd, as evidenced by their famous rout against Equatorial Guinea (0-4), it is hard to see how they could drop points during this match. However, it is worth remembering that in 1994 and while they were African champions, the Ivorians came back down to earth during the following CAN by losing to… Zambia (0-1).
Match time and location
1e CAN 2025 qualifying day
Peace Stadium (Bouaké)
At 9 p.m. French time
Ivory Coast – Zambia
Probable lineups for Ivory Coast – Zambia
Ivory Coast: Fofana; Operi, Ndicka, Boly, Singo; Sangare, Kessie, Seri; Adingra, Haller, Diallo
Zambia: You will create; Mphande, L Musonda, Sunzu, Chongo; Chaiwa, Kangwa, Banda; K Musonda, Lubamba, Chilufya
On which channel can I watch the Ivory Coast – Zambia match?
The match between Ivory Coast and Zambia will be broadcast this Friday from 9 p.m. on the BeIN Sports 3 channel. You will also be able to watch the match in streaming via the group’s dedicated platform, BeIN Connect.
Locally, the match is broadcast by RTi La 3 Cote d’Ivoire, while Canal+ Sport Afrique 2 also broadcasts the match on its channels.
