Ivory Coast would have been extremely disappointed not to have qualified for the World Cup later this year. However, they will be looking to stay at the top of their game, as the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers resume in the new year. Guinea will be the visitors in an international friendly on Tuesday.
International Friendly Preview
The Ivory Coast has recovered well since failing to qualify for the World Cup earlier this year. They have started the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in solid form, having picked up a victory and a draw in the two matches that they have played. They also looked relatively strong when they played European nations in March, as they were beaten by just a single goal by France.
The Ivory Coast have won two of their previous three international fixtures, with their most recent success coming at home against Togo on Saturday. All the goals in that fixture were scored in the second half, with Seko Fofana opening the scoring on the hour mark. They doubled their advantage just eight minutes later from the penalty spot, with Franck Kessie scoring the goal. However, they weren’t able to keep a clean sheet, as Togo struck a consolation with five minutes remaining.
Guinea would have also been disappointed that they weren’t able to qualify for the World Cup earlier this year. That disappointment also continued into the Africa Cup of Nations, as they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Gambia. Guinea comes into this fixture having won just once in their previous five international fixtures, while they have failed to score in their previous two.
Their latest defeat came on Friday, as they went down to a 1-0 loss against Algeria. Guinea looked to hit on the counter-attack in that fixture, but Algeria scored the winning goal with ten minutes remaining on the clock.
Ivory Coast vs Guinea Head to Head
The Ivory Coast boasts a superior record in this fixture, as they have won 13 of the previous 19 fixtures between the nations. However, they are winless in two fixtures against Guinea, with their most recent win coming back in February 2016. The most recent match between the sides came in November, as a 1-1 draw was played out.
Ivory Coast vs Guinea Prediction
Both of these nations will come into this fixture with a point to prove. However, we believe that the Ivory Coast is the stronger of the two sides, and we would expect them to record a victory.