Ivory Coast vs Gambia Tonight: 10 PM Kickoff, Group C Standings and Team News

Ivory Coast vs Gambia takes place tonight, Thursday 12 November 2026, at Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, with kickoff at 10:00 PM Kenyan time. The AFCON 2027 qualifiers Group C meeting brings together two teams who have won both their opening matches and are level on six points. Côte d’Ivoire lead on goal difference, making this a direct contest for first place.

The Ivory Coast vs Gambia team news includes Amad Diallo’s return to the Elephants squad and the inclusion of Musa Barrow and Yankuba Minteh in Gambia’s selection. For the wider qualifying picture, see our AFCON 2027 group draw and Harambee Stars coverage.

The AFCON Group C standings show Côte d’Ivoire first on goal difference ahead of Gambia. Ghana and Somalia have both lost their opening two matches.

These are standings before the 12 November games, not a live table. The two teams that finish highest in Group C are eligible to qualify for the finals. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are already qualified as co-hosts; our AFCON 2027 qualification guide explains how qualifying differs in groups containing host nations.

Ivory Coast results began with a 2–0 win over Ghana on 24 September and another 2–0 victory over Somalia five days later. Under Hervé Renard, the Elephants have taken maximum points without conceding in the opening two qualifiers.

Gambia results have also produced six points, though by a different route. The Scorpions beat Somalia 2–1 on 25 September, then came from behind to win 4–2 away to Ghana on 29 September. That comeback is a stronger indication of their threat than the original draft’s unsupported suggestion that Gambia simply sit back and counterattack.

The Ivory Coast squad selected by Renard includes Amad Diallo, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré and Nicolas Pépé. CAF also reported first-time opportunities for several players, including defender Oumar Solet, while Hassane Kamara and Martial Godo return to the group.

CAF reports that Guéla Doué, Odilon Kossounou and Ghislain Konan are unavailable through injury. Renard also left Oumar Diakité out of the selection, a decision the coach explained in terms of squad balance rather than recent scoring figures. The announced squad should not be confused with the confirmed starting eleven.

Johnathan McKinstry has included Musa Barrow and Yankuba Minteh in the Gambia squad after both missed September’s matches through injury. Their returns strengthen the attacking options available alongside Ebrima Colley and Muhammed Badamosi, who contributed to Gambia’s opening two victories.

Local reporting says Jesper Ceesay and Suleiman Camara subsequently withdrew because of injuries, with Saidou Khan and Salieu Drammeh called up. This is a squad update, not a claim that any player has been selected to start tonight.

The recent Ivory Coast vs Gambia head-to-head record favours the Elephants. Côte d’Ivoire won 2–0 away in November 2023 and 1–0 at home in March 2025 during World Cup qualifying. Those results provide historical context, but this evening’s meeting belongs to a new AFCON qualifying campaign.

Follow the Ivory Coast vs Gambia live score, match status, available events and the final result on SportPesa Score. The teams meet again in Bakau on 17 November, so today’s match will also shape the Group C picture ahead of the return fixture.

As Kenya prepares to co-host the finals, follow our coverage of Kenya’s AFCON 2027 stadium preparations for developments connected to the tournament itself.

Ivory Coast vs Gambia brings together the two unbeaten leaders of AFCON 2027 qualifying Group C at Stade de la Paix tonight. Both teams have six points, and their confirmed squads include returning attacking options. Check the official lineups when released and follow the match result on SportPesa Score rather than relying on pre-match projections.