ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Gambia and Ivory Coast go head-to-head on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 7 PM at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, as both teams battle for crucial points in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Ivory Coast leads Group F with their eyes set on solidifying their position after a 1-0 win over Burundi, where a critical early goal kept them unbeaten in the qualifiers so far.
Elephants, as the Ivory Coast team is known, enjoy a vibrant start to their campaign, with four victories and just one draw from five matches, maintaining an impressive defensive record. They have not conceded a single goal while netting 13, establishing themselves as the team to beat. Coach’s squad hopes to extend their lead over second-placed Gabon, who are just one point behind.
In their last match against Burundi, the Elephants clinched a narrow victory largely due to a strong early strike. After a brief setback in previous matches, head coach has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to keep the momentum going against a struggling Gambia side.
On the flip side, Gambia has struggled with consistency, sitting fifth in Group F with just four points from five matches. Their latest performance was a thrilling but disappointing 3-3 draw with Kenya, where they fought hard from two goals down but ultimately could not secure all three points.
According to reports, Gambia’s defense has been their weak spot, conceding 12 goals already in the qualifiers. Coach is under pressure to tighten the defense while maintaining their attacking prowess. The team celebrated a significant 5-1 win over Seychelles back in June 2024, but have faced continuous setbacks since, with four consecutive losses against Ivory Coast further complicating their bid for a World Cup appearance.
Coach said, “We know we need to be at our best. Every game is vital for us. We want to earn our first World Cup spot, but the road is tough.” As predicted, the match may show Gambia’s resolve as they aim for a crucial away victory in a bid to turn their qualifying campaign around.
Gambia’s Musa Barrow, who scored a brace against Kenya, has been pointed out as key to the team’s hopes. His form will be crucial as they face an experienced Ivory Coast squad boasting notable players such as and . The Elephants have shown strong home advantage in past encounters, instilling confidence ahead of the clash.
As they prepare, Gambia is expected to line up with their usual formation while Ivory Coast is likely to stick to the winning team that has brought them success. Given the recent performances and history between these two teams, it looks favorable for Ivory Coast to come away with maximum points again at home.
The pressure is on Gambia to improve their scoring record while tightening up at the back, but with the momentum on Ivory Coast’s side, it promises to be a compelling encounter.
