Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions Ivory Coast will begin the long road to defending their title in 2025 when they face Zambia in a Group G qualifier, set for Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Friday 6 September. Kick-off is at 21:00 CAT.
Ivory Coast, who won the continental tournament on home soil in the most dramatic style earlier this year, will be looking to improve on the form they showed in back-to-back 2026 World Cup qualifiers back in June, when they defeated Gabon 1-0 at home before a somewhat disappointing goalless stalemate away to Kenya.
Elephants coach Emerse Fae has kept faith with stalwarts such as Franck Kessie and Jean-Michael Seri, though the recall of Manchester Uniteds Amad Diallo could add some zip in attack.
Left-footed players are rare. He has above-average technical quality. What we want is for him to continue, explained Fae.
Since the end of the championship with Manchester United, he has continued. Physically, he feels better and better. Mentally, he has gained maturity, he gave off a sense of wisdom during our meeting on Friday. He will bring us a lot and for me it is the right time for him to come back.
