Gabon vs Côte d’Ivoire Preview: AFCON 2025 Group F Clash in Marrakech
Gabon face Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, in the final round of AFCON 2025 Group F fixtures. Kick-off is 19:00 GMT (20:00 local time).
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It’s a match with very different motivations: Gabon are already eliminated, while Ivory Coast need at least a draw to secure knockout-stage qualification.
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Match context: what’s at stake?
Gabon: pride, performance, and a positive finish
Gabon’s campaign has been frustrating, with defeats to Cameroon and Mozambique ending their hopes of progressing from the group.
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Even with qualification gone, this is still a big stage—especially against the defending champions. A strong final performance can restore belief, give minutes to key players, and help Gabon leave the tournament with momentum.
Côte d’Ivoire: one more result to reach the knockouts
Ivory Coast opened the tournament with a win over Mozambique before drawing 1–1 with Cameroon.
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With the table tight, a point is enough for the Ivorians to book a place in the last 16, so expect a controlled, disciplined approach—especially early on.
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Team news: Aubameyang set to miss Gabon vs Ivory Coast
A major storyline is the likely absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Reuters reported the striker has returned to France due to a thigh injury and will miss what was expected to be his final AFCON appearance for Gabon.
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That matters because Aubameyang remains a key reference point for Gabon in big matches—and he scored against Mozambique, continuing his strong AFCON scoring record for his country.
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Head-to-head: Gabon vs Côte d’Ivoire record
Historically, Côte d’Ivoire have had the upper hand:
- 18 total meetings: Ivory Coast 10 wins, Gabon 4 wins, 4 draws
Confédération Africaine de Football - This is the first-ever meeting at AFCON finals
Confédération Africaine de Football - Last two World Cup qualifiers: Ivory Coast won 1–0 (June 2024) and the return finished 0–0 (September 2025)
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One quirky trend: all four draws have ended 0–0, and Gabon’s wins in the fixture have typically been tight.
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Key battles to watch
1) Ivory Coast’s control vs Gabon’s freedom
With qualification on the line, Ivory Coast can afford to play a patient game—protect the middle, avoid transitions, and pick moments to attack. Their recent AFCON form under coach Emerse Faé has been steady: he is unbeaten as Ivory Coast coach at AFCON and they’ve scored in every AFCON match under him.
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Gabon, meanwhile, are in “nothing to lose” territory. That can make them dangerous—pressing higher, shooting earlier, and taking more risks than they would in a must-not-lose match.
2) Can Gabon replace Aubameyang’s threat?
If Aubameyang is out, Gabon’s biggest challenge is turning possession into chances. Without a focal point, they may lean more on wide runners and set pieces—especially against an Ivory Coast side likely to value defensive structure.
3) Amad Diallo’s momentum
Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo has scored in each of the first two group matches and could become the first Ivorian to score in all three group games at a single AFCON edition if he finds the net again.
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Tactical snapshot: how this match could play out
Expect a game that starts cautiously:
- Ivory Coast: prioritize shape, keep the ball safely, and avoid giving Gabon counterattacking space.
- Gabon: look to raise tempo, push numbers forward in phases, and try to strike first—because an early lead changes everything.
If the match is level entering the final 25 minutes, Ivory Coast may become even more conservative, knowing a draw is enough.
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Prediction (preview-style)
Given the stakes and the possibility of Gabon missing Aubameyang, the most likely script is Ivory Coast managing the game and doing what they need to qualify—potentially a low-scoring result.
A sensible prediction: Ivory Coast draw or narrow win, with the match tightening up as the clock runs down. (Head-to-head history also leans toward close margins.)