AFCON 2025: Can Côte d'Ivoire defend its title?

“ Never underestimate the hunger of a champion ,” as the saying goes. Although the Ivorian national team is far from its best, it could be ready on the big day. And that's when it all begins. In terms of squad quality, the Elephants can once again go all the way at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026). But in terms of their style of play, Emerse Faé's men need to improve if they hope to retain their title. 

A solid defensive foundation

That's the Emerse Faé touch. Ivory Coast , known for its formidable attack, has become a difficult team to break down defensively. And to go far in competitions, they'll need an ironclad defense. The Elephants have it. 

In their last 11 matches, the Ivory Coast national team has conceded only two goals. These came in friendly matches, 1-0 defeats against New Zealand and Saudi Arabia. In 10 matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Elephants have not conceded a single goal. Despite facing Gabon twice, they kept a clean sheet. Emerse Faé could build on this record to secure a fourth continental title. 

This defensive solidity is embodied by Evan Ndicka, the leader of the defense. Even when he's partnered with Emmanuel Agbadou, Ousmane Diomandé, or Odilon Kossounou in the center, nothing changes. The defensive machine, with the two full-backs Wilfried Singo on the right and Ghislain Konan on the left, is running like clockwork. 

A less convincing team performance

Emerse Faé's Ivory Coast has one strength: its defensive solidity. More than a year after taking the reins of the Elephants and their surprising victory at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the coach is struggling to build an attractive team. In terms of attacking play, the Ivorian national team is very laborious. Their attacking movement is almost nonexistent, and the link between midfield and attack is less than fluid. 

Despite boasting quality midfielders like Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, and Seko Fofana, and wingers capable of overlapping runs like Yan Diomandé , Simon Adingra , and Nicolas Pépé, Ivory Coast struggles to create scoring opportunities. Even against lower-ranked opponents, the Elephants fail to inject any real excitement into the game. 

On November 18th, in a friendly against Oman, Ivory Coast struggled before scoring two goals. Bayo Vakoun and Jean-Philippe Krasso were the goalscorers in this match. 

Ivory Coast raises concerns ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Ivory Coast performs reasonably well against weaker teams but struggles against those who pose a significant challenge. In 2025, the Elephants failed to win a single match against teams ranked slightly higher in the FIFA rankings. 

Ranked 86th in the FIFA rankings, New Zealand beat Ivory Coast (42nd in the world) 1-0 in The Canadian Shield friendly tournament on June 8, 2025. The Elephants recorded a draw 0-0 against Canada (27th in the world) on June 11, 2025. 

On September 9, the Ivory Coast team could only manage a goalless draw in Franceville against Gabon (78th in the world) during the 8th day of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. 

Facing Saudi Arabia (ranked 60th in the world) in a friendly match on November 14, 2025, Ivory Coast lost by the narrowest of margins (1-0). Having conceded the goal in the 8th minute, the players were unable to turn the tide before the final whistle.

The situation is clear: no goals scored against quality opponents in 2025. Just weeks before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, confidence is far from guaranteed for the Ivorian national team. They have been drawn into a very difficult Group F with three tough matches to play. They will face Mozambique (December 24, 5:30 PM GMT in Marrakech), Cameroon (December 28, 8:00 PM GMT in Marrakech), and Gabon (December 31, 7:00 PM GMT in Marrakech).

Emerse Faé will have to use the pre-CAN 2025 training camp, planned in Spain, to make adjustments, particularly in the attacking sector.