The Elephants stand on the brink of World Cup qualification as they face the tournament’s weakest side in what promises to be a routine assignment.
Ivory Coast leads Group F with a perfect defensive record, 20 points from eight matches without conceding a single goal, making them the standout performers in African qualification.
Seychelles arrive at this fixture having endured a nightmare campaign, sitting bottom of the table with eight defeats from eight matches. Their statistics are just two goals scored and a staggering 39 conceded, including that humiliating 9-0 defeat to today’s opponents in the reverse fixture. The Pirates have never won a World Cup qualifying match in 24 attempts, underlining the mountain they face.
For Emerse Fae’s Ivory Coast, this represents an opportunity to officially seal their return to the World Cup stage for the first time since Brazil 2014. The African champions have been ruthlessly efficient throughout qualification, with their only dropped points coming in draws against Kenya and Gabon.
With attackers like Sebastien Haller and the emerging talents in their squad, the Elephants possess too much quality across the pitch. A heavy victory seems inevitable, potentially allowing Fae to rotate his squad and prepare key players for the challenges ahead.
Ivory Coast concludes their group campaign away to Kenya on October 14, while Seychelles faces the same opponent at home.
