AFCON 2023: Senegal Vs. Cote D’Ivoire game preview

By Ngome Michael

Host nation Côte D’Ivoire heads out against unblemished defending champions, Senegal in the round of 16 at the ongoing African Cup of Nations on Monday night at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.

It is not just a cracking tie on paper but considering the sharp and contrasting pathways the two nations used to get to this level sums it up to be a refreshing encounter. While Senegal had it all figured out correctly in the group stages, the host survived by the skin of their teeth.

Monday’s clash will be the fourth time both teams are meeting in all competitions with Senegal being winners the last time at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) over a year ago. Victory for either side sets up another West African derby with winner of Mali Vs Burkina Faso.

Equatorial Guinea and Cape Verde claimed most of the headlines in the group stages, The Lions of Teranga were superb over their first three matches and emerged as the only team in the competition to win all three group stage matches. Only Nigeria attained a similar feat two years ago in Cameroon but fell to Tunisia in the fourth game, a warning signal for the Teranga Lions.

This Senegalese side is unbeaten so far and boast of the joint best defece at the tournament with just a goal conceded in three group matches. Aliou Cisse is in search of fourth win a row. The last team to hit such mark was Algeria that went on to win in 2019.

The story has not being entirely sweet on the Ivorian end since that opening day win over Guinea Bissau with goals from Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso crashed against a 1-0 defeat to Nigeria marked by an abysmal performance.

Matters got worse in a shocking 4-0 thumping in the hands of Equatorial Guinea produced multiple consequences. First, Jean Louis Gassett threw in the towel as head coach and the Elephants qualification chances neared extinction.

They however managed to qualify for the round of 16 as the last best third-placed team, and interim coach Emerse Fae  has been entrusted with the task of keeping The Elephants in the competition.

Côte D’Ivoire now has to stop a Senegal tipped favorites of the game with goals shared around the team so far with seven players scoring at least once in the last three matches.

Senegal form (all competitions):
W D W W W W.

Côte D’Ivoire form (all competitions):
W W W W L L.

The unfortunate fall-out from Senegal’s last match was Pape Gueye’s injury which has left hime unable to train according to reports, Abdallah Sima is unfit for the remaining matches due to thigh injury implies changes will be made to Cisse’s starting XI.

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.