Ivory Coast vs Mozambique Prediction: Defending champs looking for emphatic start

Defending champions Ivory Coast get their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign underway on Wednesday afternoon (17:30 GMT, live on 4seven) with a Group F clash with Mozambique at the Grand Stadium of Marrakech.

No team since Egypt in 2010 have defended their Afcon crown and they'll be eager to join that exclusive club. Read on for my Ivory Coast vs Mozambique predictions, along with the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Ivory Coast will be without one of their most influential players, as Sebastian Haller has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury he sustained while playing for FC Utrecht. Aston Villa's Evann Guessand has replaced the 31-year-old in the squad.

Jean-Michael Seri has recovered from a long injury lay-off so he should feature, while Simon Adinghra, who was instrumental to their 2023 triumph, has been left out.

As for Mozambique, Pepo has ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury, and Clesio Bauque has also been omitted from the final squad.

Ivory Coast vs Mozambique Odds

Ivory Coast are 4/11, giving them an implied win probability of 73.3%, the draw is 7/2 and a Mozambique win can be backed at 9/1.

Both teams to score - yes is available at 13/8, while Jean-Philippe Krasso currently leads the anytime goalscorer market at 7/5.

Ivory Coast to win and over 2.5 goals @ 11/8

Ivory Coast head to Morocco with an incredibly talented side, and their preparation for Afcon has been encouraging, with Emerse Fae’s side recording four wins, one draw and one defeat in their final six competitive matches before the tournament, scoring 13 goals and conceding just the solitary strike.

The Elephants' World Cup qualification campaign saw them score 25 times across 10 matches and that high-scoring form should continue here.

Mozambique have scored in five of their last six games but they prepared for the tournament with a 4-1 loss to Angola and a 2-2 draw with Chad. Ivory Coast should have too much talent - and firepower - for their opponents here.

Wilfried Zaha to score anytime @ 2/1

Wilfried Zaha's inclusion in the Ivory Coast squad came as a shock considering the options Fae has in attack.

However, the former Crystal Palace man has impressed at Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC (on loan from Galatasaray), racking up 10 goals and 10 assists in 31 matches during the 2025 season.

This will be Zaha's fourth Afcon with Ivory Coast, and he's never reached further than the round of 16 - he wasn't included in the winning squad two years ago. If Zaha can bring his form for Charlotte into this tournament, he can be a real threat here.

The 33-year-old may not start the game given Ivory Coast's wealth of attacking talent, so I think it's worth backing him to score anytime at 2/1.

Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven

Pre-match single on First Goalscorer market in selected games. Paid in cash upon market settlement. 90 mins only. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Click here for the latest Football Odds and Today's Football Fixtures