Composition, statistics and preview of CAN 2025

Overview Gabon-Ivory Coast

Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma said the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) closing match against Ivory Coast is a matter of “honour, pride and dignity”, after being eliminated with a 3-2 defeat against Mozambique on Sunday.

The Panthers reached the last 16 in their previous appearance in 2021, but that result, combined with their opening 1-0 defeat to Cameroon, means they will be eliminated regardless of the outcome of their meeting with the title holders.

“It’s about representing our people,” said former Gabonese defender Mouyouma. Canal Plus. “To start rebuilding easier, we are rebuilding on renewal.

“The victory contributes to renewal. We are in this state of mind. The players are motivated and want to finish strong.”

Manchester United midfielder Amad Diallo scored both Ivory Coast goals in Morocco, giving the Elephants a 1-0 win over Mozambique and opening the scoring in a 1-1 draw with Cameroon.

“First place is important but we have to think about the matches that follow,” said manager Emerse Fae.

🎥 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇨🇮 1-1 🇨🇲

Points shared between Ivory Coast and Cameroon in a #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 thriller. pic.twitter.com/fGXXf4TJAX

– CAN TotalEnergies 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 29, 2025

Ivory Coast are tied on four points and tiebreakers with the Indomitable Lions at the top of Group F, one ahead of Mozambique, who also qualified.

Mozambique and Cameroon will meet in the simultaneous closing group final match on Wednesday. The section winners will face Burkina Faso or Sudan in Marrakech on Tuesday, while the runners-up will face South Africa in Rabat two days earlier and the third-placed team will meet Nigeria in Fez on Monday, with all three potential fixtures starting at 7:00 p.m. GMT (2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT).

Gabon-Côte d’Ivoire team news

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a mixed AFCON, coming on as a substitute against Cameroon after arriving with a thigh injury and scoring in the defeat to Mozambique.

Gabon’s all-time top scorer is now back at Marseille and will miss the match against Ivory Coast.

The Ivory Coast are likely to rotate, with Aston Villa striker Evann Guessand, Nottingham Forest defender Willy Boly and former Crystal Palace and Manchester United livewire Wilfried Zaha among the players who could come in.

Gabon against Ivory Coast: the compositions planned for CAN 2025

Gabon starting lineup: Loyce Mbaba, Anthony Onono, Bruno Ecuele Manga, Mick Omfia, Mr.

Ivory Coast starting lineup: Yahia Fofana, Guela Doué, Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan, Seko Fofana, Jean Seri, Willy Boly, Vakoun Bayo, Wilfried Zaha, Evann Guessand

How to watch Gabon vs Ivory Coast: TV channel, live stream online

Kick-off on Wednesday will be at 7:00 p.m. GMT (2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT). In the UK, live coverage is provided on Channel 4’s 4seven and More4. In the US, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Live online streaming is available on a wide range of devices via the Channel 4 website and app and the beIN Sports app.

Gabon v Ivory Coast: CAN 2025 statistics

• It is from Gabon sixth group stage elimination in nine CAN appearances, having also been eliminated at this stage in 1994, 2000, 2010, 2015 and 2017
• Their only progression beyond the group stage in their last four CAN appearances came in 2021.
• Against Mozambique, Gabon conceded three in an AFCON match for the first time since a 3-1 defeat to Algeria in their second group match in 2000.
• One of their last 11 CAN matches ended victoriously (6 draws, 4 defeats), after winning four of the previous five (1 draw).
• Gabon has never lost all three group matches in a single edition of the CAN; in 1994 they lost both group matches, with only three teams per group at this tournament
• The victory against Mozambique was Ivory Coast’s 49th victory in CAN; another would make it the fourth nation to reach 50, after Egypt (61), Nigeria (60) and Ghana (54).
• They have scored in their last six AFCON matches, most recently failing to score in their final group match against Equatorial Guinea in 2023.
• Fae is undefeated at CAN under his reign (3 wins, 2 draws)
• Ivory Coast qualified for a third consecutive tournament, with a final group stage exit in 2017
• Their record in the last matches of the group stage is 11 wins, 4 draws, 9 defeats.