Somalia vs Côte d'Ivoire prediction: team news, lineups, expert analysis
AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations
The second round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying will feature a match between the national teams of Somalia and Côte d'Ivoire on September 29, 2026. The favorite is obvious and will be aiming to claim all three points.
Somalia - Côte d'Ivoire team news and expert analysis
Somalia picked up just one point in ten World Cup qualifying matches. In November, they drew 0-0 with Oman in a match for qualification to the Arab Cup, but lost the penalty shootout. In the spring, they also played out goalless draws with Mauritania in the preliminary round of AFCON qualifying. However, they were fortunate to win the shootout there. In the main qualifying campaign, they lost 1-2 to Gambia, albeit by the narrowest of margins.
Côte d'Ivoire have finally returned to the World Cup. This time, they managed to reach the knockout stage: in the group, they beat Ecuador and Curaçao but lost 1-2 to Germany. However, they were deservedly beaten 1-2 by Norway in the round of 32. They began qualifying against a strong opponent, Ghana, and won 2-0!
Noure's side score just 0.3 goals per game while conceding several times more - 1.4. One of the continent's powerhouses averages 1.9 goals scored and 0.8 conceded.
Previous matches: Somalia - Côte d'Ivoire
This will be the first-ever meeting between the teams.
The visitors are much stronger. We are backing them to win with a handicap of "-2 goals" (odds – 1.60).
Somalia - Côte d'Ivoire: key statistics and trends
- Somalia drew three times before losing to Gambia
- Both teams scored in 20% of Somalia's matches, with an average total of 1.7 goals per game
- Côte d'Ivoire have won nine of their last twelve matches
- Both teams scored in 40% of Côte d'Ivoire's matches, with an average total of 2.7 goals per game
Somalia - Côte d'Ivoire: possible starting lineups
Somalia play in a 1-3-4-3 formation (possible lineup): Hussein - Jilay, Omar, Osman - Abdullahi, Abdullahi, Sharif, Mohamed - Sabrie, Njié, Hassan. Sharif is doubtful
Côte d'Ivoire play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Fofana - Zogbe, Diomande, N'Dicka, Konan - Sangaré, Kessié - Pépé, Yalquyé, Yan Diomande - Bonny
Follow the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying table and find out about your team's form before placing a bet on the next match
