Senegal vs Ivory Coast Predictions

• Senegal won all three of their group games, scoring eight goals and conceding only once
• Ivory Coast have suffered back-to-back defeats and appear to have lost their way
• The Elephants are in so much disarray they sacked coach Jean-Louis Gasset and tried to bring back Herve Renard

Senegal could lead Elephants to tournament graveyard 

Senegal should send the host nation spiralling out of the African Cup of Nations when they continue their title defence against Ivory Coast on Monday evening.

The Lions of Teranga dispatched Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea in a none-too-easy group to make it through to the last-16 as Group C winners while the Elephants slumped after their opening-game win.

Jean-Louis Gasset’s side lost 1-0 to Nigeria last week before the axe fell on him in the wake of a 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea as real doubts began to emerge about their prospects for a third continental title.

Renard move showed Ivory Coast’s desperation

Senegal are clearly a better tournament team than the hosts and their recent record proves it. Since taking over as coach in 2015, Alio Cisse has overseen 21 AFCON Finals matches, of which his team have won 13, drawn six and lost only two in 90 minutes.

They are well worthy of support to win this without the need for extra time and penalties too with Ivory Coast in so much disarray that they tried to bring Herve Renard back in the middle of the tournament.

Reports suggest he will not be allowed to leave his job as France Women’s coach with Emerse Fae put in temporary charge, but the two-time winner would have had little chance of turning them around at short notice.