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Cote d’Ivoire vs. Angola: Key Matchup at CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025

Cote d’Ivoire faces Angola in their second Group D match at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Angola seeks to recover from a loss to Mali, while Cote d’Ivoire aims to build upon their opening victory against the Central African Republic. Cote d’Ivoire has a strong historical record in second group games, which could play a crucial role in this matchup.

Cote d’Ivoire will face Angola in their second Group D match at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, taking place in Berrechid, Morocco, on Friday at 17:00 local time. This encounter marks the inaugural matchup between the two nations at this tournament level. This game will be Angola’s second successive encounter against a West African opponent, following their opener against Mali.

Historically, Angola has competed against West African teams seven times, recording two wins, one draw, and four losses. Cote d’Ivoire is now the fourth West African team Angola has faced in the tournament after prior encounters with Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria. Cote d’Ivoire has also demonstrated a strong record against COSAFA member nations, with five matches resulting in three victories, one draw, and only one loss.

In their opening game, Angola suffered a 2-1 defeat to Mali, which is a recurring opponent they have struggled against, having lost all previous three encounters at this competition. Their performance in second group games shows a mixed record, having won only once in their previous four attempts, with three losses. Additionally, Marcos Raimundo was notable in the opening match, registering the most touches with 67.

Cote d’Ivoire, conversely, displayed a commanding performance in their first match, defeating Central African Republic by a margin of 6-1. This victory was particularly significant, marking their second-largest margin in finals history, with their record high being a 7-0 victory against Botswana in 1997. The game produced an overall total of seven goals, showcasing Cote d’Ivoire’s attacking prowess.

Cote d’Ivoire enters this tournament with a strong pedigree, never having lost their opening game in finals history, with a record of three wins and three draws. This victory against the Central African Republic was their first opening win since defeating Mali in 2013. Their performance in past second games reveals an impressive history, winning four out of five, which adds pressure on them to maintain this trend against Angola.

Cote d’Ivoire has historically participated in six finals without losing their second group match. Their previous matches have been high-scoring, averaging four goals per game, with a total of 20 goals produced in the such matches. They aim to secure consecutive victories for only the second time in tournament history, alongside their successful start in 2005. Furthermore, Cote d’Ivoire’s Alynho Haidara emerged as a standout player in the opening match, scoring four goals, echoing performances from previous tournaments.

In summary, the upcoming match between Cote d’Ivoire and Angola at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations holds historical significance as both teams seek to establish their standings in the tournament. Cote d’Ivoire boasts a commendable record in second group matches, while Angola aims to recover from their opening game defeat. The performance of key players like Alynho Haidara will be critical in determining the outcome of this clash.

Original Source: www.cafonline.com

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