ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (Interstat) — The host nation looks to continue its dominant form when Côte d’Ivoire faces Mozambique in Africa Cup of Nations group stage play on Wednesday.

The match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpé is scheduled for a 6 p.m. local time kickoff on Dec. 24.

Côte d’Ivoire enters as a heavy favorite, riding a wave of convincing victories. The Elephants are unbeaten in their last three qualifiers, outscoring opponents 11-0. Their most recent result was a 3-0 home win over Kenya on Oct. 14, preceded by a 7-0 rout of Seychelles. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-0 victory for the hosts.

In contrast, Mozambique’s form has been inconsistent. The Mambas earned a narrow 1-0 away win over Somalia on Oct. 14 but were handed a 2-1 home defeat by Guinea just five days earlier. Their defensive record shows vulnerability, including a pair of 4-0 losses to Uganda in September.

Historically, Côte d’Ivoire has held the upper hand in this fixture. The teams last met in AFCON qualifying in 2019, with Côte d’Ivoire winning 1-0 at home and drawing 0-0 in Maputo.

A victory for Côte d’Ivoire would solidify its position atop the group and build crucial momentum ahead of its next AFCON match against Gabon on Dec. 31. For Mozambique, which faces Cameroon next on Dec. 31, the challenge will be to organize defensively against an Ivorian attack that has been prolific. Any result away to the tournament host would be considered a major upset.

The match is expected to draw a capacity crowd, providing a stern test for Mozambique in one of the continent’s most intimidating atmospheres. Côte d’Ivoire manager is likely to field a full-strength side featuring stars from Europe’s top leagues, while Mozambique will depend on a disciplined, counter-attacking approach.

Weather in Abidjan is forecast to be hot and humid with a chance of evening thunderstorms, which could influence the pace of play.