Ivory Coast begin their 2026 African Cup of Nations qualifiers campaign against Zambia with hopes of repeating their 2023 tournament success. Didier Drogba is expected to lead his side to victory, although an unexpected upset victory could send Avram Grant’s Zambians spiralling downward in the standings.
Both teams are warming up and are eagerly awaiting the signal to begin the match. Both squads are ready to battle it out for three points! Both sides are warming up as both squads prepare themselves to do battle and win!
Ivory Coast: Boubacar Barry
Ivory Coast team’s goalkeeper had often been overlooked; yet he became their hero of tournament.
After observing a moment of silence in respect of those lost during the recent terrorist attack in Paris, both teams take to the field for the final. Ivory Coast makes one like-for-like change when Max Gradel replaces Solomon Kalou.
Zambia won a free-kick within shooting range but Rainford Kalaba’s attempt was brilliantly saved by Boubacar Barry before Emmanuel Mayuka saw his shot go wide of the post. Stoppila Sunzu then scored the winning penalty to give Zambia their inaugural Africa Cup of Nations trophy and they ran towards their fans behind the goal to begin celebrating with joyous abandon!
Gervinho
Stoppila Sunzu’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory gave Zambia its maiden Africa Cup of Nations crown and sent tournament favourites Ivory Coast reeling at the last eight stage. He scored the winning penalty after Didier Drogba had had his effort hit against the post; thus depriving Ivorians a fairytale victory.
Rainford Kalaba of Zambia begins making his mark down the left flank, sending over an exquisite cross that is chased down by Emmanuel Mayuka but Chris Katongo’s header falls just wide of goal. Zambia continued with attacks involving Isaac Chansa but Ivorians held their ground.
Didier Drogba
Ivory Coast will kickoff their Group G campaign at home against Zambia. Their recent form has been promising and we are confident they can claim victory here.
Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast missed his penalty shot, sidefooting it high and wide. Understandably disappointed after this miss, Didier consoled himself by hugging his teammates as he left the pitch.
Five minutes of stoppage time remain. Zambia’s Rainford Kalaba comes close with an attempted shot, only to be stopped by Kolo Toure’s last-ditch tackle and send it into penalty shootout! After an intense eight-7 win for Zambia on penalties they celebrate and embrace their players – an amazing feel-good story for Africa.
Yaya Toure
Les Elephants open the scoring with Gervinho taking advantage of a defensive miscue to race half the length of the pitch and shoot past goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite for Les Elephants’ first goal.
Emmanuel Mayuka comes close for Zambia before Drogba misses from the penalty spot.
Stophira Sunzu scores the winning penalty to give Zambia their inaugural Africa Cup of Nations championship in an 8-7 shootout, dedicating it to those lost in a plane crash that cut short their tournament in 1993. Ivory Coast’s golden generation featuring stars such as Didier Drogba and Gervinho may rue another missed opportunity as they were considered favorites to take home victory this time around.
Sofiane Boufal
Ivory Coast will begin their 2025/26 African Cup of Nations qualification campaign at home against Zambia, in impressive form having previously defeated Gabon and Kenya to qualify.
Simon Msuva put the hosts ahead early when he capitalized on some sloppy play by Taifa Stars, while Rodrick Kabwe was later dismissed for receiving two yellow cards before half time.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is in impressive form for Ivory Coast and should make the starting lineup at Bouake. Teammate Emmanuel Banda should also be watched.
Amine Adli
Teams have just finished warming up and will soon line up to hear national anthems and begin the match.
Odilon Kossounou from Bayer Leverkusen made headlines for scoring Morocco’s opening goal of the tournament; however he remained an unused sub in their next match against DR Congo which resulted in a 1-1 tie and eventual penalty shootout defeat.
Stuttgart forward Silas made an injury-time substitution during that matchup; Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig played for Mali and helped defeat Tapsoba’s Burkina Faso to advance into the quarter finals – with hopes he will start this weekend’s showpiece game as Mali take on tapsoba Burkina Faso in Mali’s quarter-final match-up against Burkina Faso.
Chris Katongo
Ivory Coast began their campaign at home against Zambia with an exciting victory thanks to Jean-Philippe Krasso’s second half goal. Although Ivory Coast were dominant throughout, they struggled to break through an effective Chipolopolo defence and win.
As more Ivorian fans arrive to fill the stadium, we will soon begin warming-up both teams. Stay tuned to VAVEL Mexico for further information and become a Premium Member today to gain access to all of the latest statistics from top leagues worldwide, plus an additional 300 profitable leagues not monitored by bookies.
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Sol Bamba
Sol is an expressive centre-back who currently plays club football for Dunfermline FC and has represented France, Scotland, England and Italy at international levels. Most recently he led Zambia to victory at their inaugural major tournament final tournament – 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Final in Ghana.
Didier Drogba misses a penalty kick for Ivory Coast from about 10 yards out, blasting it over the bar with ease. Zambia then come close through Emmanuel Mayuka who goes close with an effort that is blocked – with both teams level at halftime, Ivory Coast press hard in search of goals but with neither team making changes; Ivory Coast replaces James Chamanga with Chisamba Lungu while Zambia replace Francis Kasonde with Mayuka as James Chamanga departs and James Chamanga with Chisamba Lungu replacing Francis Kasonde respectively as part of their pressing.
