Wednesday Afcon 2025 fixtures
- Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea 3.30pm (EAT)
- Algeria vs Sudan 6pm (EAT)
- Ivory Coast vs Mozambique 8.30pm (EAT)
- Gabon vs Cameroon 11pm (EAT)
Title holders Ivory Coast enter the Afcon 2025 fray with a tie against Mozambique on Wednesday at the Grande Stade Marrakech in Group F.
Speaking to the press, their captain Frank Kessie revealed that the Elephants are in Morocco to defend their crown, a feat no nation has achieved since Egypt won three in a row in 2006, 2008 & 2010.
“The Ivorian people expect a lot from us. From our side, we can assure them of one thing: the group is ready, focused and determined to defend this title. We will give everything from the very first match,” he told a press briefing.
He is however aware that Mozambique will not be a pushover in the opening match.
“We have a lot of respect for Mozambique. They are a solid team that plays without fear,” he warned. “But we also know what we want to do. Football is about being able to seize opportunities and score when they arise. We want to impose our game while remaining disciplined,” he added.
In the same group, five-time champions Cameroon face Gabon in Agadir in a fixture that will conclude the day.
The Indomitable Lions will rely on Manchester United star Bryan Mbeumo for inspiration against Pierre Aubameyang and the Panthers.
The day starts with action in Group E with 2013 runners up Burkina Faso facing Emilio Nsue Equatorial Guinea at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca while Algeria and Sudan lock horns in Rabat at Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier El Moulay Hassan.