Cote d’Ivoire and Gambia meet in Group C showdown for top spot

Cote d’Ivoire and Gambia put their perfect starts to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on the line when they meet in Bouake on Thursday, 12 November 2026.

Both sides have won their opening two matches in Group C and sit level on six points, with Cote d’Ivoire leading on goal difference. The Elephants are yet to concede, while Gambia produced one of the results of the opening rounds by recovering from two goals down to beat Ghana 4-2.

The match will be played at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, central Cote d’Ivoire, with kick-off at 19:00 local time and GMT. That is 20:00 in France.

In France, the game will be shown live on beIN SPORTS 1. RTI La 3, NCI and Canal+ Sport 2 Afrique are among the broadcasters listed in Cote d’Ivoire.

The two teams will meet again five days later, on Tuesday, 17 November, when Gambia host Cote d’Ivoire at the Stade de l’Independance in Bakau for the fourth round of qualifying.

Strong starts leave little between the sides

Cote d’Ivoire opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory against Ghana before recording the same scoreline against Somalia. Herve Renard’s team therefore arrive at home seeking to maintain their 100% record.

Gambia began with a 2-1 win over Somalia and then stunned Ghana 4-2 after falling two goals behind. Their goal difference is one fewer than Cote d’Ivoire’s, with the teams separated by +4 to +3.

Renard will be without Guela Doue, Odilon Kossounou and Ghislain Konan, who are injured. Wilfried Singo, Simon Adingra, Seko Fofana and Sebastien Haller have also not been selected.

Ange-Yoan Bonny of Inter Milan was the latest player to withdraw from the squad. He has been replaced by Oumar Diakite of Sturm Graz.

The Cote d’Ivoire manager can, however, call on the returning Amad Diallo of Manchester United, Hassane Kamara and Martial Godo. Four players have also received their first call-ups, including Udinese central defender Oumar Solet, who is among the new arrivals expected to attract particular attention.

Gambia have regained two important attacking options in Yankuba Minteh of Brighton and Musa Barrow of Al-Khaleej. Neither player featured in the opening two qualifying matches.

Johnathan McKinstry will be without Jesper Ceesay and Suleiman Camara, who have been replaced by Saidou Khan and Salieu Drammeh. The Northern Irish coach made his intentions clear before the match, saying: “We have come here to take the three points of victory.”

With both teams six points clear of Ghana and Somalia, qualification is already within sight. The two-match meeting is therefore likely to play a major role in deciding who finishes top of Group C.