SportsMole previews Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sierra Leone And Ivory Coast They will meet for the second time in as many days when they go head-to-head in Tuesday's clash at the Samuel Canyon To Stadium in Monrovia.
After losing 4-1 in Friday's reverse fixture at San-Pedro, the hosts will be looking to prepare a positive response.
Competition preview
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After failing to qualify for the 2023 tournament, Sierra Leone will be desperate for a place at the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
However, Sierra Leone have their work cut out for them to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the fourth time in their history, having picked up just one point from their three qualifiers.
Amidu Karim's side opened their qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Chad before they lost 3-2 in their final meeting with Zambia in the September international window.
They suffered another defeat in Friday's encounter with Ivory Coast Alhassan Koromaof the equalizer.
Sierra Leone then conceded three goals without reply in the second half as they suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat, leaving them with three points separating them from the top two in the group.
The hosts will be desperate for revenge with a win in the return leg on Tuesday, but that may be easier than failing to win in their last four home games in the Africa Cup of Nations (D3, L1).
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Ivory Coast are looking to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to defend the title they won at home earlier this year.
Ivory Coast will qualify for the tournament from December 2025 to January 2026 by securing maximum points from their three qualifying rounds.
Fay emergedThey opened their campaign with a 2–0 home win over Zambia before repeating that score in an away encounter with Chad on 10 September.
They then went on an 11-match unbeaten run with a 4-1 win over Sierra Leone at home on Friday. Frank Kessey Brace and targets Nicholas Pepe And Omar Diakid.
The result moved the group leaders to nine points, ensuring they go into matchday four with a five-point gap on Zambia and seven on Chad.
Tuesday's visitors will know that a win will guarantee qualification with two games to go, while a draw will be enough if Chad fail to take anything from their meeting with Zambia.
Sierra Leone Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Form:
Sierra Leone Format (All Matches):
Ivory Coast Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Form:
Ivory Coast Format (All Matches):
Group messages
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The Crystal Palace youngster Hindolo Mustafa pushing for a starting spot after coming off the bench in the first half to help in Friday's loss.
Mustafa garlic Introduced alongside Mustafa in the first period, he hopes to earn a starting spot for Tuesday's match.
Amato Bagayoko The striker needs to add to his three goals for his country to retain his place in the forward line.
As for Ivory Coast, they couldn't summon Manchester United's attack Amat Diallo and Leganes striker Sebastian Haller After the pair were forced to leave Fay's initial team.
Fay is set to name a backorder Wilbright Shingo, Emmanuel Agpato, Evan Ndika And Christopher Works For the fourth straight game.
In the final three, Thiagoide could be considered for a starting spot after coming off the bench to score an 87th-minute penalty in Friday's outing.
Sierra Leone Possible Starting Lineup:
room; Jallo, Georgeo Gabia, Calgar, Samadia; Mustafa, Forna, Alu. Chroma; Bundu, Al. Koroma, Bagayoko
Ivory Coast Probable Starting Lineup:
Fofana; Shingo, Agbado, Ndika, Obari; Fobana, Cheri, Kasi; Here, Crazo, Pepe
We say: Sierra Leone 1-3 Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast will be full of confidence after recording an impressive win in Friday's reverse fixture, while they may not have home advantage.
Please click here for data analysis of most probable results, scores and more for this match.
