Ten months ago, the Ivory Coast produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in AFCON history. Written off after a disastrous group stage, they rallied to win the tournament on home soil with a run that captured the imagination of an entire continent. Now, as defending champions, the Elephants face their first test: Mozambique in Marrakech.
The champions' dilemma: can they do it again?
Defending an AFCON title is notoriously difficult. The last team to retain the trophy was Egypt between 2006 and 2010—and they won three in a row. Ivory Coast's 2023 triumph was built on emotion, momentum, and the intangible magic of a home crowd. None of those factors exist in Morocco.
Sebastien Haller leads the line after his remarkable recovery from testicular cancer. His presence alone is inspirational, but questions remain about whether he can maintain the form that carried Ivory Coast through the knockout rounds. Simon Adingra has established himself as one of Africa's most exciting talents at Brighton, adding creativity and pace to a potent attacking unit.
Mozambique's quiet transformation
While the football world focuses on the favourites, Mozambique have undergone a silent revolution. Under Portuguese coach Chiquinho Conde, the Mambas have developed a clear identity: organised defence, rapid transitions, and an unwavering belief that they belong at this level.
Their qualification campaign demonstrated maturity and tactical discipline. Against Ivory Coast's star power, Mozambique will need every ounce of that organisation. They won't match the Elephants for individual quality, but collective effort can overcome talent—as Ivory Coast themselves proved last year.
Tactical preview: Ivory Coast's pressing vs Mozambique's discipline
Emerse Faé's Ivory Coast play with intensity and aggression. Their high press forces opponents into errors, and their transition game is devastating. Against teams that try to play out from the back, the Elephants are lethal.
Mozambique won't fall into that trap. Expect them to go long early, bypass the press, and try to make the game ugly. Set pieces could be crucial—Mozambique are dangerous from dead balls, and Ivory Coast have shown vulnerability in aerial duels.
The key tactical question: can Ivory Coast maintain their pressing intensity for 90 minutes? In the knockout rounds last year, fatigue set in during several matches. A packed schedule and the North African heat could impact their energy levels.
The player to watch: Simon Adingra
Brighton's Simon Adingra has evolved from promising youngster to match-winner. His dribbling, pace, and direct running give Ivory Coast a dimension that few teams can handle. Against Mozambique's compact defence, his ability to beat players one-on-one could be the difference.
If Adingra receives service in the final third and has space to attack, Mozambique will struggle. Their only hope is to double up on him and force Ivory Coast to create from elsewhere.
What a result means for both teams
For Ivory Coast, this match sets the tone for their title defence. A convincing victory sends a message that the Elephants are serious about repeating. A draw or loss? Suddenly the narrative shifts to whether they're a one-hit wonder.
Mozambique, conversely, have nothing to lose. A point would be a statement. A victory would be seismic. Even a narrow defeat with a solid performance builds confidence for the remaining group matches against Cameroon and Gabon.
Prediction: emotion vs pragmatism
Ivory Coast carry the weight of expectation and the memory of what they achieved. Mozambique carry the freedom of underdogs with a clear plan. This match will be tighter than many expect.
The Elephants should prevail—their quality is undeniable. But if Mozambique keep it close into the final 20 minutes, we could witness an upset that rocks the tournament.