Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon meet at Stade Alassane Ouattara on Saturday evening in an international friendly that will provide a stern test for both teams as they seek to build momentum in their CAN 2027 qualifying campaigns.
The Elephants have collected six points from their opening two matches, while Cameroon have four. Both sides will therefore aim to finish the September/October international window positively.
Herve Renard has made an immediate impact since returning for a second spell in charge of Cote d’Ivoire. Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Somalia at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, secured by late goals from Yann Gboho and Bazoumana Toure, extended his perfect record.
It means Renard has won his first two matches in regulation time, matching the start to his successful first spell in 2014. He is the only Cote d’Ivoire manager to have achieved that in the past 16 years, since Francois Zahoui in 2010.
Cote d’Ivoire have also been defensively impressive, keeping two clean sheets and allowing only three shots on target across 180 minutes. They are among six teams yet to concede in CAN qualifying.
Although Saturday’s fixture is a friendly, it is widely viewed as Renard’s toughest challenge since taking charge again. Cote d’Ivoire have lost only one of their past six meetings with Cameroon, while the latest ended 1-1 at CAN 2025. That match saw both teams drop their only points in the group stage.
Cameroon are also beginning a new era. Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Republic of the Congo at Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat was David Pagou’s ninth match in charge. Despite dominating for long periods, the Indomitable Lions could not build on their opening win against Comoros and remain only one point ahead of Namibia at the top of their qualifying group.
Pagou is combining his Cameroon role with his work at Coton Sport de Garoua and has impressed during his brief tenure. A win against Cote d’Ivoire, achieved only once by Cameroon since November 2014, would provide a major confidence boost.
Cameroon have conceded first in four of their past five meetings with Cote d’Ivoire, while the Elephants have opened the scoring in five of their last six matches.
Bazoumana Toure and Yann Gboho could start after scoring from the bench against Somalia. It would be Gboho’s first start for Cote d’Ivoire since joining the international group, with the Coventry City player continuing to settle in.
Franck Kessie has 107 caps and is three appearances short of matching Max Gradel’s total, currently the third-highest in the country’s history. For Cameroon, Blondy Noukeu has become the first-choice goalkeeper in Andre Onana’s absence, although Emile Lako and Simon Ngapandouetnbu are also options. Ivan Cedric and Harouna Djibirin remain the only outfield players in the squad yet to debut, while Bryan Mbeumo leads the attack after scoring eight goals in 34 internationals.
Probable teams
Cote d’Ivoire: Lafont; Konan, Ndicka, Agbadou, Zogbe; Sangare, Oulai; Pepe, Yalcouye, Diomande; Wahi.
Cameroon: Noukeu; Tchamba, Kotto, Keller; Njoh, Fosso, Nyngue, Ebong, Tchamadeu; Namaso, Mbeumo.
Five of the past six meetings have produced fewer than three goals, but this forecast expects a more open contest, with Cote d’Ivoire winning 2-1.
Suggested markets are a Cote d’Ivoire win at 1.88, more than 2.5 goals at 2.58, and both teams to score at 2.20. The recommended correct-score selection is 2-1 to Cote d’Ivoire at 8.50 on Betclic.