Ivory Coast vs Mozambique Predictions

• Ivory Coast scored 25 times in their 10 World Cup qualifiers
• Mozambique have scored in five of their last six games, but they lost 4-1 to Angola and drew 2-2 with Chad in their previous two
• Diomande has scored six goals for Leipzig this term and he’s netted two goals in four for his country

Champions will be a threat once again

The Ivory Coast’s incredible 2023 triumph on home soil came despite sacking their coach between the group stage and the beginning of the knockouts. They’ll be hopeful of a calmer time of things in 2025, especially as they head to Morocco with an incredibly talented side.

19-year-old Yan Diomande has already caught the eye for RB Leipzig, and he could thrive at this tournament. The winger scored a hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt at the start of the month, and he has six Bundesliga goals to his name already.

Diomande has scored in two of his first four appearances for his country. He’s a brilliant addition to an Ivory Coast side which qualified for the World Cup by scoring 25 times and conceding none across their 10 matches.

Mozambique’s warm-up games saw them draw 2-2 with Chad and lose 4-1 to Angola, while they lost heavily against Algeria and Uganda earlier this year. Their three group games in 2023 featured 11 goals, and the underdogs head to the tournament having scored in five of their last six.

However, Mozambique should struggle to keep pace with an impressive Ivory Coast side, so back goals and a routine win for the champions, with Diomande good value to find the net.