Somalia vs Ivory Coast: AFCON 2027 Qualifier, Team News & Match Guide

Somalia vs Ivory Coast meet on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 in Matchday 2 of Group C in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Somalia are looking for their first points after losing 2-1 to The Gambia, while Ivory Coast can make it two wins from two after beating Ghana 2-0.

The Ocean Stars reached the main qualifying group after eliminating Mauritius on penalties in the preliminary round. Their next test is against an Ivory Coast side beginning a second spell under Hervé Renard and carrying three points into the fixture.

For the Somalia vs Ivory Coast live score, confirmed lineups, goals and changing match statistics, follow SP Score once the match begins.

CAF lists Somalia against Ivory Coast at 19:00 GMT, which is 22:00 in Kenya. Group C also contains Ghana and The Gambia, with the top two teams qualifying for AFCON 2027 because the group does not contain one of the three co-hosts.

Somalia vs Ivory Coast lineups will be confirmed close to kick-off. Somalia’s selection is expected to retain much of the side used against The Gambia, while Ivory Coast have several options after their opening win over Ghana.

Somalia started the opener with Ibraahim Axmed in goal and a side including Abdulle Abdullahi, Abel Gigli, Ali Mohammed, Mohamed Mohamed, Cabdisamad Cabdullaahi, Faysal Osman, Cabdi Shariif, Abdi Sabriye, Bilal Njie and Sak Hassan. Bilal Njie scored Somalia’s equaliser in the 72nd minute.

Ivory Coast’s opening win was shaped by Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié. Yalcouyé scored before half-time after Kessié’s pass, then Kessié converted a second-half penalty. Nicolas Pépé, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Ibrahim Sangaré and Ousmane Diomandé are among the other established options in Hervé Renard’s squad.

READ ALSO: Ivory Coast vs Ghana: AFCON 2027 Qualifier Preview

Somalia vs Ivory Coast team news centres on how Somalia respond after a demanding opener and whether Renard keeps the core of the Ivory Coast team that beat Ghana.

Somalia appointed Hendrik Pieter de Jongh shortly before the qualifying window. Bilal Njie strengthened his case for another start by scoring against The Gambia, while Abdi Sharif has been listed as a fitness concern after the opening fixture.

Ivory Coast entered the window without several players who had been dealing with injuries, including Amad Diallo and Wilfried Singo. Malick Yalcouyé made an immediate impact against Ghana and gives Renard another midfield option alongside experienced players such as Franck Kessié and Ibrahim Sangaré.

Somalia vs Ivory Coast stats show contrasting starts to Group C. Ivory Coast have three points and a +2 goal difference, while Somalia begin Matchday 2 without a point after conceding a late winner against The Gambia.

Ivory Coast can move to six points with another win. Somalia are chasing their first points of the group stage before the qualification campaign continues in November.

READ ALSO: Ghana vs Gambia: AFCON 2027 Qualifier Preview

Somalia vs Ivory Coast H2H offers very little historical data. The major match databases checked before this fixture do not show a previous senior meeting between the Ocean Stars and the Elephants.

That makes current form, squad quality and the opening Group C results more useful than an artificial head-to-head sample. The reverse qualifier later in the campaign will begin to build a direct competitive record between the two national teams.

Somalia vs Ivory Coast results before Matchday 2 show Ivory Coast arriving with the stronger recent record, while Somalia’s qualification to the group stage remains an important step forward for the Ocean Stars.

Somalia have kept several matches tight but have found goals difficult to produce consistently. Ivory Coast have won three of the five listed games and kept clean sheets in all three victories.

READ ALSO: Ivory Coast World Cup Team: Squad, Fixtures, Results, Standings & Stats

Bilal Njie gives Somalia a clear attacking reference after scoring against The Gambia. Abdulsamed Cabdullaahi and the Ocean Stars midfield will also need to protect the ball better if Somalia are to reduce long spells of Ivorian pressure.

Franck Kessié remains central to Ivory Coast’s midfield and was directly involved in both goals against Ghana, assisting Malick Yalcouyé before scoring from the penalty spot. Yalcouyé’s debut goal adds another player for Somalia to track, while Nicolas Pépé and Ange-Yoan Bonny can stretch the defence in the final third.

Group C does not include Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda, the three AFCON 2027 co-hosts. That means the top two teams in the group qualify directly for the tournament after the six-match campaign.

Ivory Coast and The Gambia took the early advantage with Matchday 1 wins. Somalia and Ghana therefore enter the second round looking to avoid falling further behind before the November double-header.

READ ALSO: AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Groups and Harambee Stars Draw

Somalia vs Ivory Coast prediction analysis points to Ivory Coast carrying the stronger recent form, greater squad depth and the better start to Group C. Somalia nevertheless showed against The Gambia that they can stay in a qualifier and find a route back into the match.

The main challenge for Somalia is limiting the time Ivory Coast’s midfield has on the ball while still giving Bilal Njie and the forwards enough support to threaten in transition. If the Ocean Stars spend too much of the game defending close to their own penalty area, the Elephants have enough technical quality to create repeated chances.

Ivory Coast therefore enter with the stronger match profile, but the confirmed lineups and Somalia’s ability to keep the opening stages compact will shape how the contest develops.

Kick-off is scheduled for 22:00 EAT on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. Confirmed starting lineups should be checked close to kick-off, followed by the live score, goals, cards and match statistics as the qualifier develops.

Broadcast availability varies by country. Kenyan viewers should use current local listings rather than assuming that a broadcaster listed for another market carries the same rights.

READ ALSO: Ivory Coast vs Ghana: AFCON 2027 Qualifier Preview

READ ALSO: Ghana vs Gambia: AFCON 2027 Qualifier Preview

READ ALSO: Ivory Coast World Cup Team: Squad, Fixtures, Results, Standings & Stats

READ ALSO: Curaçao vs Ivory Coast: Elephants Reach World Cup Knockout Stage

READ ALSO: AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Groups and Harambee Stars Draw

Somalia vs Ivory Coast is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

Kick-off is scheduled for 22:00 EAT, equivalent to 19:00 GMT.

They are in Group C with Ghana and The Gambia.

Somalia lost 2-1 away to The Gambia. Bilal Njie scored Somalia’s goal.

Ivory Coast beat Ghana 2-0, with Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié scoring.

Hendrik Pieter de Jongh was appointed as Somalia head coach before the September 2026 qualifying window.

Hervé Renard is in his second spell as Ivory Coast head coach.

The major databases checked for this preview do not show a previous senior meeting, so this qualifier is treated as their first recorded senior encounter.

Somalia vs Ivory Coast gives the Ocean Stars an immediate test against one of Group C’s strongest squads. Somalia need their first points after the 2-1 loss to The Gambia, while Ivory Coast can strengthen their early qualification position after opening with a 2-0 win over Ghana.

For Somalia, keeping the game organised and giving Bilal Njie support on transitions will be important. Ivory Coast arrive with confidence after Yalcouyé and Kessié delivered in the opener, making the midfield battle one of the key areas to follow.

For more AFCON 2027 previews and international football coverage, visit the SportPesa Kenya Blog. 18+. Gamble responsibly.