Football Bet of the Day: Ivory Coast set for winning start

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations continues on Christmas Eve with four matches taking place, split evenly across Groups E and F. Our focus is on the clash between defending champions, the Ivory Coast and Mozambique, who go in search of their first AFCON victory on their sixth appearance.

All signs point to a comfortable start to the tournament for the Elephants at Marrakesh Stadium. Read on for my Football Bet of the Day.

The Ivory Coast lifted the trophy for the third time in 2023, overcoming Nigeria 2-1 in the final, and their form leading into the tournament suggests they will have a good go at retaining the crown.

The Elephants secured their place at the 2026 World Cup by topping qualifying Group F, winning eight and drawing two of their 10 fixtures to finish one point ahead of second-placed Gabon.

Emerse Fae's side have won three of their last four matches and have suffered just one defeat in their last seven assignments, evidence of how well the team are performing.

Notably, the Ivory Coast have kept six clean sheets during this purple patch of form and the only goal they conceded came in a 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia in a friendly.

Ivory Coast vs Mozambique Odds

A strong backline was also pivotal during World Cup 2026 qualifying, as the Elephants didn't let in one strike in their 10 games and another solid rearguard display can see them overcome Mozambique.

The Mambas conceded 17 goals in their qualifying group for World Cup 2026 and they have managed just two clean sheets in their last nine outings, against Botswana and Somalia.

Just two players in Mozambique's AFCON squad are in double figures for goals for their country, and one of those is 42-year-old Domingues, so they are not exactly stacked with options in the attacking department.

It is a different story for the Ivory Coast, who have the likes of Vakoun Bayo, Evann Guessand, Amad Diallo and Jean-Philippe Krasso at their disposal and this greater strength in depth should show in the end.

With seven of the Elephants' last eight victories coming to nil - the other triumph came on penalties after the game was level at 0-0 - there looks to be a strong chance they can record another shutout success.

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