The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) stage is set for a seismic clash tonight as defending champions Senegal lock horns with host nation Ivory Coast at the Stade Charles Konan Banny.
Kick-off at 8pm GMT promises a battle for supremacy between two titans of African football.
Senegal, the unstoppable force of Group C, marched through with a perfect record, winning all three games against Gambia, Cameroon, and Guinea. Their offensive prowess is undeniable, having netted eight goals while conceding just one. This defensive solidity is further highlighted by their incredible record of 15 clean sheets in their last 21 AFCON matches.
Ivory Coast, fuelled by home-ground advantage and a desire to redeem themselves after a disappointing third-place finish in Group A, will be no pushover. Despite victory against Guinea-Bissau and defeats to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, their 2 goals scored and 5 conceded paint a picture of inconsistency.
History spices up this encounter. Ivory Coast holds the upper hand in recent clashes, winning two of the last three (with one draw) and both previous AFCON ties. This historical edge adds an extra layer of intrigue, as Senegal aims to rewrite the script and defend their crown.
The winner of this titanic clash will face Mali or Bukina Faso in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for another thrilling battle.
Can Senegal continue their perfect run and prove their superiority? Or will Ivory Coast silence the doubters and roar into the next stage on home soil?
This clash promises a spectacle of African football at its finest.