Ivory Coast will face Cameroon in an African heavyweight friendly at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, with both sides aiming for victory in the clash.
Ayomide Oguntimehin looks ahead to the October 3 showdown.
Ivory Coast vs Cameroon match preview
2023 African champions Ivory Coast enter the clash on the back of an impressive 2-0 win over Somalia in their second qualifying game of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, which took them to six points from their opening two matches. Yann Ghoho and Bazoumana Toure scored two late goals to seal the win.
The Elephants had earlier recorded a 2-0 win over Ghana in their opening game and now sit top of Group C alongside Gambia on maximum points from two matches, although they are only ahead based on goal difference. Both sides will faceoff in a doubleheader in the November international break.
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Cameroon, on the other hand, recorded a 1-1 draw with Congo in their second game of the qualifying series, taking them to four points from two games in Group G. The Indomitable Lions had conceded first in the clash after Geltany Bantsiele had put Congo in front.
However, an own goal from goalkeeper Melvin Zinga pulled them back on level terms. Cameroon had also defeated Comoros 3-1 in their first match and are top of the standings with four points, one above Comoros.
Ivory Coast vs Cameroon Head-to-Head
(Last five meetings)
- 28.12.2025 – Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon
- 16.11.2021 – Cameroon 1-0 Ivory Coast
- 06.09.2021 – Ivory Coast 2-1 Cameroon
- 30.01.2016 – Cameroon 0-3 Ivory Coast
- 28.01.2015 – Cameroon 0-1 Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast have held the upper hand in this fixture in recent years, winning three of the last five meetings across all competitions.
However, Cameroon remain unbeaten in the last two while both sides drew 1-1 at the 2025 AFCON tournament.
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Best betting odds
Ivory Coast to win or draw – 1.45 (on 1xbet)
Prediction
Ivory Coast have the better form at the moment, and they also have enough quality in every department on the pitch to seal a favourable result from this matchup.
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Recent form: Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast have been impressive in recent games and have won both matches of their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, beating both Ghana and Somalia by the same scoreline.
The Elephants have kept clean sheets in both games as well and have also scored multiple times in the two matches also.
Recent form: Cameroon
Cameroon have had a mixed start to their qualifying campaign, winning one and recording one draw in their two games so far.
The Indomitable Lions are without a clean sheet in both games, although they have averaged at least two goals per game during the qualifiers.
🐘🔥🇨🇮 Les Éléphants poursuivent leur préparation avant la rencontre amicale face aux Lions Indomptables du Cameroun ! Séance d’entraînement ce jeudi 1er octobre à 11h.#CIVCMR #TousDerrièreLesÉléphants #LesÉléphants #FIF pic.twitter.com/1OuQH1irml
— Équipe Nationale de Football Cote d’Ivoire 🇨🇮🐘 (@equipenatciv) October 1, 2026
Player to watch
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
The Manchester United forward will be looking to lead from the front against Ivory Coast after a quiet outing against Congo.
Bryan Mbeumo’s pace and late runs into the box would offer his side an attacking threat and could cause problems for the Ivory Coast’s defence in the clash.
