Ivory Coast will trade tackles with Bafana Bafana at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on Tuesday, 17 October 2023 in a friendly clash between the two teams.
Kick-off is at 20:00 South African Standard Time.
Arrival at training grounds, #Abidjan #CIV #InternationalFriendlies #CollegeModernedeCocody #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/26bJ9uzjPZ
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 15, 2023
The 2023 AFCON hosts come into this clash on the back of a 1-1 draw with Morocco in their last friendly outing.
Dortmund forward Sebastien Haller had put Ivory Coast in the lead just before the break. However, an 80th-minute equalizer from Ayoub El Kaabi ensured they shared spoils.
South Africa, meanwhile, played out a 0-0 surprising draw with Eswatini last Friday. It was a result that left much to be desired from the attacking department.
With crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers coming up next month and the AFCON tournament in January, Hugo Broos will look to fashion out a quick solution to his side's poor run in the final third.
Bafana Bafana team news ahead of Ivory Coast clash
Hugo Broos will be without key player Zakhele Lepasa, who is unavailable for the team to play against Ivory Coast on Tuesday. The reason for the Orlando Pirates forward's unavailability is not completely clear just yet, but could be for personal reasons.
Nonetheless, the Bafana Bafana squad has many attacking talents available for selection, the likes of Khanyisa Mayo, Mihlali Mayembela, and Burnley's forward Lyle Foster are all ready to make the starting lineup.
With the opportunity given to some players last time out in the Eswatini game, there should be changes made for this match, with the likes of Ronwen Williams, Paseka Mako and Mduduzi Mdantsane all expected to return to the starting eleven.
Ivory Coast vs Bafana Bafana probably lineups
Here is how we think both coaches will line up their teams in this friendly encounter:
Ivory Coast
Yahia Fofana (GK); Wilfried Singo, Ousmane Diomande, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan; Seko Fofana, Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare; Simon Adingra, Sebastien Haller, Wilfried Zaha.
Bafana Bafana
Ronwen Williams (GK); Lebo Modiba, Siyanda Xulu, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Paseka Mako; Teboho Mokoena, Mduduzi Mdantsane, Khanyisa Mayo, Themba Zwane, Sibongiseni Mthethwa; Lyle Foster.
Ivory Coast vs Bafana Bafana confirmed lineups
*Lineups will be automatically updated shortly after they're released
Ivory Coast vs Bafana Bafana head-to-head
Past matches between both countries have been very evenly contested, with both sides winning one apiece in the last two meetings, while the other two encounters before that ended in draws. It'll be interesting to see if any of these teams comes out with a win to take the head-to-head advantage.
Where to watch Ivory Coast vs Bafana Bafana live
Although there is no available information about where to watch the friendly clash between Ivory Coast and Bafana Bafana, fans in South Africa should check SuperSport and the SABC channel if the live broadcast of the match is available at kick-off.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 weeks ago
