Ivory Coast vs Mozambique LIVE!
The Africa Cup of Nations action continues as last year’s winners Cote d'Ivoire began their title defence on a winning note in rainy Marrakesh, despite a wasteful display full of missed chances. Les Elephants defied a dreadful start to their delayed home AFCON tournament in early 2024 that saw them sack manager Jean-Louis Gasset after a humiliating defeat by Equatorial Guinea to flourish under replacement Emerse Fae, fighting back to beat Nigeria in the final. It was their third title overall and first since 2015.
Ivory Coast have since booked a first World Cup berth since 2014 under Fae, winning all 10 of their qualifiers without conceding a single goal. Now they head to Morocco looking to achieve that rare feat of successfully defending an AFCON title, though will have to do without last year’s hero Sebastien Haller due to injury as they negotiate a tricky Group F that also contains Cameroon and Gabon. Wilfried Zaha started on his return to international football after almost two years alongside Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, who notched the winning goal on Wednesday night.
Mozambique remain huge underdogs in the group despite a spirited effort against the holders, with the Mambas still searching for a first-ever win at AFCON on their fifth appearance. Follow Ivory Coast vs Mozambique live below!
Ivory Coast vs Mozambique highlights
- GOAL! Amad fires Ivory Coast winner after break
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:27 , George FloodFull-time
Amad Diallo's early second-half goal delivers an opening win for the Africa Cup of Nations holders in wet Marrakesh.
Not nearly as comfortable as they would have liked and credit to Mozambique for their strong resistance and late flurry that made for a dramatic finish.
It’s now over to the Adrar Stadium in Agadir, where Group F rivals Cameroon and Gabon collide.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:26 , George Flood94 mins: What a chance for Geny Catamo to stun the holders with a last-gasp equaliser!
He wriggles free inside the box, but his low effort is fired too close to Yahia Fofana.
What a moment that would have been!
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:22 , George Flood90 mins: A VAR check on that penalty appeal from Mozambique comes to nothing.
Four minutes of added time have been signalled at the Stade de Marrakesh.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:21 , George Flood89 mins: More dangerous deliveries into the Ivory Coast box from both sides, with Mozambique appealing for a penalty.
The holders break and Seko Fofana is clean through, but he dithers bizarrely at the last and Bayo is then denied by Ernan.
Bayo gets a second go at it, now Guima delivers a crucial block.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:18 , George Flood87 mins: It’s still not comfortable for the Ivorians as Mozambique flash in a dangerous free-kick delivery from the left.
Emerse Fae does not look happy on the touchline.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:17 , George Flood85 mins: The sting has rather gone out of that brief Mozambique resurgence as we tick down towards the end of 90 minutes in Marrakesh.
Ivory Coast now appear content to hold this 1-0 after failing to add to their lead despite creating numerous strong opportunities after Amad’s goal.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:15 , George Flood82 mins: Off goes Diogo Calila for Mozambique now.
Nanani is on at right-back.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:12 , George Flood80 mins: Ivory Coast’s first yellow card of the night goes to Yan Diomande for a foul on Diogo Calila.
Amad is heading off now as Emerse Fae sends on Oumar Diakite.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:10 , George Flood78 mins: Geny Catamo with a fine, jinking run to the byline, where he rather runs out of room but earns a corner that is glanced well wide off the head of Bangal.
Mozambique head coach Chiquinho Conde continues to cut a very animated figure on the touchline in the Marrakesh rain as his side push for an equaliser.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:09 , George Flood75 mins: Finally some attacking ambition from Mozambique as an overlapping Diogo Calila’s cross from the right is headed away.
The Mambas have also sent on 42-year-old midfielder Domingues for Manuel Kambala.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:05 , George Flood72 mins: Bayo glances a header well wide from Kessie’s clever cross.
Emerse Fae will be agitated with his side’s failure to kill off this game.
Mozambique have offered absolutely nothing in attack in this second half.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:01 , George Flood70 mins: Reinildo with a crucial intervention inside the Mozambique box to stop Konan’s latest dangerous delivery from reaching Bayo.
The Sunderland man then tries to rally his team-mates.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
19:00 , George Flood67 mins: Seko Fofana and Vakoun Bayo are replacing Seri and Zaha for Ivory Coast.
Mozambique send on Gildo Vilanculos and Faisal Bangal for Witi and Ratifo.
A risky challenge there from Bruno Langa on Doue.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
18:57 , George Flood65 mins: How is it still 1-0?!
Neither Sangare nor Kessie can guide home Zaha’s fizzed low cross at the back post.
Changes are coming from both managers.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
18:56 , George FloodAmad Diallo could be one of the stars of this AFCON...
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
18:54 , George Flood63 mins: A second Ivory Coast goal feels like a formality as Zaha has an effort blocked inside the box and Mozambique captain Mexer is at full stretch to turn behind another Konan cross.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
18:53 , George Flood61 mins: So close to 2-0 for Ivory Coast, but Konan’s pinpoint cross from the left is headed down and wide of the back post by Kessie.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
18:49 , George Flood58 mins: Zaha is starting to pose real problems for this tiring Mozambique defence with his direct running and strength on the ball.
Ivory Coast will feel there are more goals in this.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
18:45 , George Flood54 mins: Amad is enjoying himself now for Ivory Coast, getting some running room before being taken out by Reinildo.
Yellow card for the Sunderland defender.
The rain is really coming down hard now in Marrakesh, where Amad’s free-kick delivery to the back post is punched away by Ernan.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
18:44 , George Flood51 mins: Ivory Coast are eager to sustain this momentum as they come pouring forward again, forcing another corner.
It’s cleared.
GOAL! Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique | Amad Diallo 49'
18:40 , George Flood49 mins: Yes, they can!
Mozambique are caught ball-watching inside their own box as a cross from the right is nodded down by Kessie and drilled home through the legs of Reinildo by Amad.
A third senior international goal for the Manchester United star that should certainly calm some Ivorian nerves in Marrakesh.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:38 , George Flood48 mins: Forget what I said about the rain, it is now falling steadily as Ivory Coast continue to dominate possession early in this second half.
Can they find the breakthrough?
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:36 , George FloodRwandan referee Samuel Uwikunda gets us back underway.
Maria Rivet is on VAR duty this evening in Marrakesh, where the rain has stayed away after some huge downpours in Morocco yesterday.
It doesn’t look like there have been any changes from either Emerse Fae or Chiquinho Conde at the break.
Though Ivory Coast will surely look to their bench sooner rather than later if this stalemate continues.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:34 , George FloodThe players are back out at the Stade de Marrakesh.
The second half will be underway shortly.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:19 , George FloodHalf-time
Goalless at the break in Marrakesh, where the holders have been dominant and created chances, but are being frustrated so far.
Left-back Ghislain Konan with their best opportunity after firing wide from Amad Diallo’s delivery, while Ernan Siluane made an important save to deny Yan Diomande.
Ivorian captain Franck Kessie also should have done better with a close-range header.
Mozambique’s early ambition on the counter-attack has quickly given way to a rearguard effort that has been pretty solid up to this point.
Can they keep it up?
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:18 , George Flood45 mins: Into two minutes of first-half stoppage time in Marrakesh.
Mozambique will be delighted to get in at the break level.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:17 , George Flood44 mins: A heart-in-mouth moment for Ernan, whose failed punch from a Kossounou cross sees the ball fall straight to Ivorian captain Kessie, whose weak header is held by the Mozambique ‘keeper.
He gives a wry smile.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:15 , George Flood43 mins: Closing in on half-time as Doue’s cross to the back post is headed behind awkwardly under little pressure by Diogo Calila, who was facing the wrong way.
Zaha’s delivery from the left is again punched clear by Ernan.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:12 , George Flood40 mins: A perfectly-timed sliding challenge from Sunderland’s Reinildo halts Amad in his tracks as the two No15s go head to head.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:11 , George Flood38 mins: A lovely run and turn from Zaha on the edge of the Mozambique box, but he’s thwarted by some determined and dogged defending by Geny Catamo.
Exactly the sort of effort Mambas boss Chiquinho Conde will want to see from his star player.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:07 , George Flood34 mins: Mozambique have struggled notably with the pace and trickery of Yan Diomande throughout this first half, with Witi now picking up the first yellow card of the game for taking him down.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:05 , George Flood32 mins: It should be 1-0 to Ivory Coast!
More strong work from Amad and his accurate cut-back from the byline is steered agonisingly wide of the post by left-back Konan.
A huge let-off for Mozambique, who are under considerable pressure now in this first half.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:02 , George Flood30 mins: Amad blazes a fierce strike over the bar as the Ivorians continue to crank up the pressure as we tick past the half-hour mark at the Stade de Marrakesh.
A reminder that there hasn’t been a single goalless draw at this AFCON so far...
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
18:01 , George Flood28 mins: Another free-kick for Ivory Coast in a decent position, this time it’s Zaha who delivers from the left.
The ball is emphatically punched clear by Ernan.
Now Doue - who needs no second invitation to get forward down that right-hand flank - earns another corner off Bruno Langa.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:58 , George Flood25 mins: Ivory Coast’s best opening of the game so far as Yan Diomande steers Doue’s cross from the right at the back post but Ernan is able to acrobatically tip the ball over the crossbar.
Not a clean connection from the RB Leipzig winger on his weaker left foot.
A dangerous-looking corner delivery from the right is quickly cleared.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:53 , George Flood22 mins: Well off target from right-back Guela Doue as another promising Ivorian attack quickly peters out.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:50 , George Flood20 mins: Amad is surrounded by three defenders as he bears down on the Mozambique area, felled from behind by Witi.
The Manchester United man steps up and whips a free-kick straight into the wall, Bruno Langa making the block.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:49 , George Flood17 mins: The final ball has been sorely lacking for the Ivorians so far, a difficult header from Zaha inside the box not troubling Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan Siluane.
At the other end, Guima runs out of room as he tries to force another corner.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:47 , George Flood15 mins: Mozambique have been impressive so far here, the influential Catamo spraying a decent pass out to right-back Diogo Calila, who takes a fine touch before delivering a cross that is seen behind.
The Mambas go short with the corner and an overhit cross eventually flies well wide of the back post.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:45 , George Flood13 mins: A scare for Ivory Coast as Mozambique break at speed again and there’s a dangerous low cross into Witi, whose touch is heavy amid a desperate last-ditch challenge and the opportunity is lost.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:43 , George Flood11 mins: Ivory Coast can’t make the most of another corner as Mozambique continue to hold firm in defence.
The Mambas also look handy on the counter-attack, with pace and ambition.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:42 , George Flood9 mins: Yan Diomande has been the danger man for Ivory Coast so far, cutting in with menace off that left flank.
On this occasion he runs straight into Mozambique skipper Mexer, but there’s no chance of a penalty.
At the other end, a long-range drive from Catamo forces Yahia Fofana into a comfortable low save.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:35 , George Flood3 mins: A lively start to this game with Zaha seeing plenty of the ball early.
Mozambique have an early corner that is scrambled clear.
A heavy challenge on Zaha is followed by an important clearance inside the Mambas’ box.
Ivory Coast 0-0 Mozambique
17:33 , George Flood2 mins: Early pressure from Ivory Coast as RB Leipzig’s teenage winger Yan Diomande, wearing a facemask, fires into the side netting from a difficult angle.
Kick-off
17:31 , George FloodUnderway in Marrakesh!
Will Ivory Coast make a winning start to their Africa Cup of Nations title defence?
Algeria beat Sudan 3-0 in the end to set the early standard, along with Senegal.
It looks like the teamsheet was wrong in terms of the Mozambique captain.
It’s not Reinildo, but rather vastly-experienced defender Edson Andre Sitoe - better known as Mexer.
Players are out
17:27 , George FloodThe players are out in Marrakesh and it’s time for the national anthems.
L'Abidjanaise will be followed by Patria Amada.
10-minute warning
17:20 , George FloodAs ever, the Ivory Coast fans are bringing a brilliant atmosphere to the Stade de Marrakesh.
Kick-off is just over 10 minutes away...
Sunderland's Reinildo captains Mozambique
17:16 , George FloodMozambique also played two warm-up friendlies last month, drawing 2-2 with Chad after losing 1-0 to AFCON hosts and favourites Morocco.
There are four changes from Mambas head coach Chiquinho Conde to the team that beat Somalia 1-0 in their final World Cup qualifier in October thanks to an early goal from Sporting winger Geny Catamo.
Nanani is replaced by Diogo Calila at right-back, while Nene makes way for Manuel Kambala in midfield.
Further forward, the injured Pepo and Gildo are replaced by Witi and Guima.
Sunderland left-back Reinildo wears the captain’s armband.
Mozambique lineup
17:02 , George FloodMozambique XI: Ernan, Amade, Langa, Mexer, Diogo Calila, Reinildo, Kambala, Catamo, Witi, Guima, Ratifo
Zaha starts on Ivory Coast return
16:53 , George FloodIvory Coast experimented plenty in pre-AFCON warm-up friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Oman last month.
Emerse Fae makes three changes this evening from their last competitive outing - a comfortable 3-0 win over Kenya in Abidjan in October that completed their 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying.
Atalanta’s Odilon Kossounou comes in to partner Roma’s Evan Ndicka in central defence, with Wolves’ Emmanuel Agbadou making way.
There’s an extra midfielder inserted in the form of the fit-again Jean Michael Seri, who is alongside captain Franck Kessie and Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare.
The returning Wilfried Zaha starts in attack alongside Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande, with Evann Guessand - who is on the bench - and Nicolas Pepe replaced.
Ivory Coast lineup
16:41 , George FloodIvory Coast XI: Fofana, Doue, Ndicka, Kossounou, Konan, Kessie, Sangare, Seri, Y Diomande, Amad, Zaha
Emerse Fae: Ivory Coast ready to rise to the challenge
16:33 , George FloodOnly Egypt (twice), Ghana and Cameroon have ever managed to successfully defend their Africa Cup of Nations titles.
Emerse Fae is confident his Ivory Coast side are capable of joining that exclusive club in Morocco, though has warned against the threat of complacency after a stunning World Cup qualification campaign in which they won all 10 matches without conceding a single goal, scoring 25 in total as they edged out AFCON opponents Gabon.
Mozambique, meanwhile, finished third behind Algeria and Uganda in their group with six wins, but ahead of the likes of Guinea and Botswana.
"We've all prepared well, technically, physically and mentally,” Fae said this week.
“We know what the competition is like. We know it's not going to be easy. We're ready to rise to the challenge.”
Today at AFCON so far... Zidane takes centre stage
16:18 , George FloodZinedine Zidane has been the star of the show at AFCON so far today, drawing major attention at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat as he watched son Luca start in goal for Algeria in their Group E opener against Sudan.
It’s currently early in the second half in that game, with 2019 champions Algeria - among the favourites for glory in Morocco - leading 1-0 thanks to an early effort from talisman Riyad Mahrez.
There was huge drama earlier on in Casablanca, where Equatorial Guinea led 1-0 going into stoppage time against Burkina Faso in the opening game in Group E, with Marvin Anieboh scoring in the 85th minute despite the earlier dismissal of Basilio Ndong.
But there was an extraordinary last-gasp comeback from Burkina Faso, who netted twice through Georgi Minoungou and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba to snatch a dramatic victory.
After Ivory Coast vs Mozambique, Group F rivals Cameroon and Gabon conclude today’s action in Agadir.
Zaha returns as Ivory Coast spring selection surprises
16:01 , George FloodEmerse Fae certainly sprang a few surprises with his squad selection for Ivory Coast’s AFCON title defence in Morocco.
Back in the fold after almost two years is ex-Crystal Palace stalwart Wilfried Zaha, but there was no place for Sunderland’s Simon Adingra, who also played a vital role in their comeback success at home last year.
Ex-Fulham and Hull midfielder Jean-Michael Seri is back after injury, though there is no Nicolas Pepe and Evann Guessand is only in because of Sebastien Haller’s injury.
A strong group includes Manchester United star Amad Diallo, Nottingham Forest pair Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare, plus Wolves defender Emmanuel Agbadou.
Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande is a key figure at the back and Les Elephants are captained by former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie, now playing in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli.
Ivory Coast vs Mozambique prediction
15:52 , George FloodThis should be a fairly straightforward victory for the holders, who have further matured since winning the 2024 tournament on home soil.
Mozambique, on paper at least, come off second-best across the pitch, but will no doubt aim to raise their game for their opener.
An early goal for Ivory Coast will settle any nerves, but one for the Mambas could cause some panic.
Ivory Coast to win, 2-0.
Mozambique team news: Mambas suffer Pepo injury blow
15:48 , George FloodMozambique also suffered their own major injury blow just before the latest Africa Cup of Nations, with key midfielder Pepo sustaining a serious knee injury on club duty in Portugal with third-tier side Caldas SC.
Sporting winger Geny Catamo is the star player in a squad that also contains Sunderland left-back Reinildo.
62-cap Black Bulls winger Clesio was among the most surprising omissions from a Mambas squad named by head coach Chiquinho Conde.
Ivory Coast team news: Guessand replaces injured Haller
15:42 , George FloodThe headline team news from an Ivory Coast perspective heading into this tournament is the absence of key striker Sebastien Haller, who scored winning goals in both the AFCON semi-finals and final last year just 13 months after returning following a battle with cancer.
The former West Ham frontman was named in Emerse Fae’s squad once again this time around, though had to withdraw just days ago with a hamstring injury suffered playing for club side Utrecht in the Eredivisie.
Aston Villa’s Evan Guessand was called up as Haller’s replacement, having been a surprise omission from the original group that flew for a training camp in Marbella.
How to watch Ivory Coast vs Mozambique
15:35 , George FloodTV channel: Every 2025 Africa Cup of Nations match will be broadcast live in the UK across Channel 4’s network.
This game will be shown on 4seven, with coverage starting at 5.25pm GMT.
Live stream: UK viewers will be able to stream AFCON games live on the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel or Channel 4’s official website and app.
Ivory Coast vs Mozambique live
15:31 , George FloodThe defending Africa Cup of Nations champions enter the 2025 competition this afternoon as Ivory Coast begin their Group F campaign against Mozambique at the Stade de Marrakesh.
Les Elephants are among the favourites for glory again in Morocco after their stunning fightback from near disaster on home soil least year, sacking their manager mid-tournament after a heaviest-ever home loss that looked likely to eliminate them at the group stage but somehow recovering under Emerse Fae to beat Nigeria in the final.
That was a third AFCON title overall for Cote d’Ivoire and a first since 2015, though, despite their successful World Cup qualification campaign in which they won every game and did not concede a single goal, repeat winners in this tournament are very rare and they have been placed in a potentially tough group alongside Gabon and Cameroon.
They will be expected to make a strong start here against huge underdogs Mozambique, who have never won a single game at AFCON as they prepare for their fifth appearance at the finals.
Kick-off is at 5:30pm GMT and 6:30pm local time, so stay with us for build-up, team news and minute-by-minute game updates.
