“Down and out” Gabon Looks to Stun Reigning Champions Côte d’Ivoire in Group F Finale
The Grand Stade de Marrakech prepares to host a fascinating encounter between the reigning champions, Côte d’Ivoire, and a Gabon side playing for pride. While the Elephants have already secured their path to the knockout rounds, they are fighting to finish as Group F leaders. For the Panthers, this match represents a final opportunity to salvage a disappointing campaign that saw them fall to successive defeats against Cameroon and Mozambique.
A Storied Rivalry: Historical Head-to-Head
The history between these two West and Central African nations is one of Ivorian dominance punctuated by occasional Gabonese upsets. Across 18 previous meetings, Côte d’Ivoire has claimed victory 10 times, while Gabon has won on 4 occasions, with 4 matches ending in a draw. Interestingly, this marks their first-ever meeting in an actual AFCON tournament finals, though they are familiar foes from various qualifying cycles.
In recent memory, the two sides met twice during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In June 2024, Côte d’Ivoire secured a narrow 1–0 victory in Korhogo, followed by a tense 0–0 stalemate in Franceville just three months ago in September 2025. Gabon’s most famous recent success came in September 2017, when they stunned the Elephants with a 2–1 victory in Abidjan, a result they will look to replicate to end their tournament on a high.
Pre-Match Talk: Determination vs. Honor
The atmosphere in both camps reflects the stakes of the final day. Ivorian head coach Emerse Faé has emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, stating that while qualification is secure, the objective is to finish as leaders to ensure a more favorable draw in the Round of 16. Midfielder Franck Kessié echoed this sentiment, noting that the squad is focused on continuous improvement and defensive solidity after their 1–1 draw with Cameroon.
On the other side, Gabon’s coach Thierry Mouyouma has described this fixture as a matter of “national honor.” Following the heartbreaking 3–2 loss to Mozambique, Mouyouma expressed his desire for the team to show their true character against the continent’s best. Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, likely playing in one of his final AFCON matches, shared that the team is determined to leave Morocco with their heads held high, focusing on rewarding their traveling fans with a strong performance.
The Men in the Middle: Match Officials
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed a high-profile officiating team to handle the proceedings in Marrakech. Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal, widely considered one of the continent’s top officials, will take charge of the match. He will be assisted by Mahmoud Ahmed Abouelregal of Egypt and Jérson Emiliano dos Santos of Angola. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth will be overseen by Mauritanian official Dahane Beida, ensuring that the high-stakes decisions are managed with precision.
Tactical Outlook and Projected Lineups
Côte d’Ivoire may use this opportunity to rotate their squad, though Faé is expected to keep a strong spine to ensure they don’t slip to second place. For Gabon, the focus will be on their attacking trio to penetrate an Ivorian defense that has only allowed four shots on target in their first 180 minutes of play.
Gabon Projected XI (4-3-3):
Loyce Mbaba; Anthony Oyono, Bruno Ecuele Manga, Mario Lemina, Jacques Ekomié; André Poko, Didier Ndong, Guélor Kanga; Shavy Babicka, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga.
Côte d’Ivoire Projected XI (4-3-3):
Yahia Fofana; Guela Doué, Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan; Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Seko Fofana; Amad Diallo, Vakoun Bayo, Wilfried Zaha.
The tactical battle is expected to center on whether Gabon’s veteran core can handle the physicality and pace of the Ivorian midfield. While Gabon has a habit of scoring late goals, they must be wary of an Ivorian side that has historically done its damage before the hour mark.
