The current defending champions Ivory Coast, will begin the defence of their title when they face Mozambique at Stade de Marrakech in what will be their first outing at the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Elephants have a big jinx hanging over their heads, as no team since Egypt in 2010 have defended the biggest title on the African continent, and they will be eager to join the North Africans in that exclusive company.
Emerse Fae's men will be well aware of how difficult the possibility of defending the AFCON title is, having been bundled out of the competition in the group stage in Gabon in 2017 as current champions at the time.
That said, they remain one of the most successful nations in the competition's history with three titles to their name, and they will be aiming to surpass that in Morocco.
Another factor that could play into the hands of the West Africans is that Mozambique, who are in front of them for Wednesday's encounter in the lowest-ranked team in the group, and they have gotten the better of their opponents twice previously in the competition in 1986 and 1996, respectively.
The Elephants enter this competition in good form, having lost only one of their last seven matches, a friendly loss against Saudi Arabia, with the other results being five victories and a draw.
Meanwhile, Mozambique, for the umpteenth time, will begin their AFCON campaign as underdogs, and they will be aiming to progress beyond the first round, a feat which will be a record for them.
The Mambas have failed to leave their mark in their previous five appearances at the continental showpiece, exiting the competition in the group stage.
The prospect of a respectable outing in Morocco becomes even more diminished, considering their recent form, and the fact that they have never registered a win at the AFCON, managing four draws and 11 losses in previous games at the finals.
How the bookies view it: Ivory Coasts are the overwhelming favourites
Ivory Coast are the side with the greater chance of recording a victory in their maiden game in the 2025 edition of the competition according to the submission of the bookies. They have odds of 4/11 on Bet365, which is a clear reflection of their might going into this encounter.
Meanwhile, Mozambique are priced at 17/2 by Bet365, the odds are long, but considering the nature of African football, they could have a fighting chance.
Recent head-to-head: Ivory Coast are in control in this fixture
There have been seven head-to-head meetings between these teams, and Ivory Coast are yet to taste defeat against their opponents, boasting a record of five wins and two draws.
And from all indications, the West Africans could extend their record after regulation time on Wednesday.
Player to watch: Wilfried Zaha
One of the most interesting stories of the Ivorian squad is the inclusion of Galatasaray winger Wilfried Zaha, who is on loan at Charlotte.
By any stretch of imagination, his inclusion did not come as a surprise, as he has enjoyed a good run of form with his American side.
Probable line-ups
Emerse Fae handed former Crystal Palace man Wilfried Zaha a surprise inclusion in the squad for AFCON, having missed out on national assignments for an extended period of time previously.
More surprisingly, Simon Adinghra, who was instrumental to their 2023 triumph, has been left out, while Sebastien Haller withdrew from the squad due to an injury. Similarly, Nicolas Pepe was also left out of the squad.
Ivory Coast: Lafont; Kossonou, Zohouri, Konan, Diomande; Oulai, Sangare, Kessie; Krasso, Diallo, Zaha
Mozambique: Zavala; Diogo Cabral, Reinildo, Jone, Mexer; Amade, Guimaraes; Abdala, Catamo, Bonde; Alexandre
Anything else that catches the eye?
Ivory Coast have scored in five of their last six head-to-head meetings, while they have found the back of the net in three of their last four fixtures across all competitions.
Although it is decades away, the Elephants have won in their previous two meetings in the Africa Cup of Nations.
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