Cote d’Ivoire seek to build on Ghana victory in Somalia clash

Cote d’Ivoire will look to strengthen their position at the top of Group C when they face Somalia in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers at Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

The Elephants began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Ghana, while Somalia suffered a 2-1 defeat by Gambia in their opening fixture.

Cote d’Ivoire are beginning a new era under Herve Renard, who returned to the position after Emerse Fae’s contract expired in July. Fae had guided the team to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in four attempts, but that achievement did not lead to an extension.

The Elephants’ Africa Cup of Nations title defence ended in the quarter-finals of CAN 2026, when they lost to Egypt. That defeat ended an eight-match unbeaten run in the competition, during which they recorded seven wins and one draw.

Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner who lifted the trophy with Cote d’Ivoire in 2015, has been tasked with securing another continental title. His immediate priority, however, is qualification for next year’s finals in East Africa.

A win in this first meeting between Somalia and Cote d’Ivoire would keep the Elephants top of Group C. They will nevertheless be looking to improve their away record in recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns, having lost their last two trips to Sierra Leone and Zambia without scoring.

Somalia have already exceeded expectations by reaching the group stage this time, having been eliminated in the preliminary qualifying round in 2024. They overcame Mauritius on penalties after a two-legged tie ended goalless.

Yusuf Ali’s side are in a difficult group alongside Gambia, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, all of whom have considerably greater experience of winning the tournament. Somalia are among five teams seeking a first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations and will need a major upset against Cote d’Ivoire to keep that ambition alive.

Their lack of attacking threat remains a concern. Somalia scored only three goals in 10 World Cup qualifying matches and finished bottom of their group. They are also unable to host matches because of long-standing security issues and the absence of a CAF-approved stadium, meaning they do not have home advantage during qualifying campaigns.

Somalia’s recent form is defeat, win, defeat, draw, win, defeat; Cote d’Ivoire’s is win, win, defeat, win, defeat, win.

Bilal Njie scored Somalia’s consolation goal against Gambia and has now found the net five times in his last eight club and international appearances. Abdi Sharif is doubtful after going off injured late in that match.

Malick Yalcouye marked his international debut with a goal and an assist against Ghana after making an impressive start to the 2026-27 season with Brighton & Hove Albion. Franck Kessie scored his 16th goal for Cote d’Ivoire in that game, the highest total among active players and two short of the national team’s all-time top 10. Amadou Kone, still awaiting his first cap, remained an unused substitute and could feature.

Probable line-ups

Somalia: Hussein; Othman, Omar, Gigli; Mohamed, Osman, Abdullahi, Abdulle; Hassan, Njie, Abatari.

Cote d’Ivoire: Fofana; Zogbe, Diomande, Ndicka, Konan; Sangare, Kessie; Diomande, Yalcouye, Pepe; Bonny.

Cote d’Ivoire’s performance against Ghana suggests they should have too much for Somalia. The prediction is a 3-0 victory, available at odds of 5.50 with Betclic.