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In a highly anticipated clash on Monday, Senegal resumes their title defense in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 against Ivory Coast at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.
The winner of this encounter between African football powerhouses secures a spot in the quarter-final, where they await either Mali or Burkina Faso, set to face off on Tuesday in Korhogo.
Exactly one year since Senegal’s 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast at the CAF African Nations Championship, they aim to replicate that success and move just three wins away from defending their AFCON title. Despite Equatorial Guinea and Cape Verde grabbing attention in the group stages, the Lions of Teranga stood out, winning all three matches with a formidable defensive record, conceding only one goal.
Opening their AFCON campaign with a convincing 3-0 win against Gambia, Senegal continued their dominance with a 3-1 triumph over Cameroon and a 2-0 victory against Guinea. The Lions of Teranga now boast the joint-best defensive record in the competition, having conceded just one goal in the group stages and their last seven matches overall.
Led by coach Aliou Cisse, Senegal eyes a historic fourth consecutive win in this competition, a feat last achieved by Algeria in 2019 when they lifted the trophy. On the other hand, Ivory Coast’s AFCON journey took a downturn, surviving only due to Ghana’s poor performance, securing the final third-placed team qualification spot.
Ivory Coast’s promising start with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau faded as they suffered defeat against Nigeria and a shocking 4-0 loss in their final group stage match.
The Ivory Coast Football Federation reacted by dismissing manager Jean-Louis Gasset before confirming their qualification. Interim coach Emerse Fae now shoulders the responsibility of sustaining The Elephants’ AFCON title hopes.
Despite indications favoring Senegal, history tilts in Ivory Coast’s favor, having beaten Senegal twice in this competition (1965 and 1986). The contrasting forms of both teams showcase Senegal’s dominance with a perfect record (WWW) in AFCON and a strong overall form (WDWWWW), while Ivory Coast’s AFCON form stands at WLL, and their overall form is WWWWLL. The stage is set for a blockbuster showdown, promising excitement and high stakes in the quest for AFCON glory.
Marseille’s Pape Gueye had to leave the field of play due to injury in Senegal’s 2-0 win over Guinea, and the midfielder was also not seen in training in the week, which casts doubts over his involvement in this match.
Attacker Abdallah Sima has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to a thigh injury, which likely means that Strasbourg striker Habib Diallo will lead the line, flanked by Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr.
With a new coach at the helm, changes are expected for the hosts in this match, but they are likely to remain without Sebastian Haller, who has yet to feature in this competition due to an ankle injury.
Serge Aurier will be one of the players hoping to be restored to the starting 11 after being left as an unused substitute against Equatorial Guinea, while Nicolas Pepe could drop to the bench after a poor showing in the last match, which raised question marks about his fitness level having just returned from injury.
Senegal possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, A Diallo, Jakobs; P.M Sarr, Gueye, Camara; I Sarr, H Diallo, Mane
Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:
Y Fofana; Aurier, Diomande, Ndicka, Konan; S Fofana, Sangare, Kessie; Kouame, Krasso, Boga
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