Ivory Coast vs Gambia prediction 12.11.2026 | Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Ivory Coast are one of the best African teams in the 21st century, with continental titles in 2015 and 2023. After a solid World Cup performance, the Elephants turned their attention to African Cup of Nations qualifiers, starting with two convincing victories over Ghana and Somalia. However, since then, Ivory Coast also played a friendly game against Cameroon, which they lost 1-0 in Abidjan. Although Ivory Coast played well that time, their inefficiency cost them a better result. 

Ivory Coast have big problems with missing players. They will be without Guela Doue, Odilon Kossounou, Ghislain Konan, Wilfried Singo, Simon Adingra, Sebastien Haller, Evann Guessand, Seko Fofana, and Ange-Yoan Bonny. On the other hand, Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Martial Godo (Strasbourg), Hassane Kamara (Udinese), and Sturm Diakite (Sturm Graz) are returning to the team after missing previous matches, while Oumar Solet (Udinese), Abdoul Ouattara (Ipswich), Abdoulaye Knate (Al Ettifaq), and Yaya Kader Fofana (Reims) received their first call-ups. 

The only two major tournaments for Gambia are the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021 and 2023. After skipping the previous one, Gambia is trying to return among the best continental teams. Johnny McKinstry's team has been surprisingly strong in the qualifiers so far, beating both Somalia and Ghana. In the most recent outing, they made a huge surprise by beating Ghana 4-2 in Accra. The hosts had 74% ball possession, but Gambia made most of their counter-attacks and secured all three points. 

Gambia have problems with injuries, too. They will be without Suleiman Camara, Jesper Ceesay, Adama Sidibeh, Abdoulie Manneh, and Alieu Fadera. On the other hand, Yankuba Minteh (Brighton), Musa Barrow (Al Khaleej), Sheriff Sinyan (Rapid Bucuresti), Salieu Drammeh (Standard Liege), and Alasana Manneh (Kolding) are again in the team. The biggest question for Johnny McKinstry ahead of Thursday is how ready Minteh is, as the winger missed most of the season with a calf injury and has played only eight minutes so far.