Ivory Coast, the reigning champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, enter the tournament with a compelling history, having secured victory in the previous edition. Their performance in the World Cup African qualifiers saw them top Group F, scoring 25 goals without conceding and earning their place. The team boasts a talented squad, featuring players like Manchester United's Diallo, Roma's Ndicka, and RB Leipzig's Diomande. Mozambique, hailing from southeastern Africa, finished third in Group G of the World Cup qualifiers, failing to reach the playoffs. Their previous Africa Cup of Nations campaign ended in the group stage with two draws and a loss. Many Mozambique players compete in Portuguese leagues due to the nation's historical ties with Portugal. The betting odds reflect Ivory Coast's strong showing in the World Cup qualifiers and their status as the defending Africa Cup of Nations champions. The initial data, however, suggests a degree of caution towards Ivory Coast. Mozambique's players possess comparable physical abilities to Ivory Coast's, and they rarely suffer heavy defeats in official matches. The last time the two teams met was during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but this match offers limited value for comparison. Mozambique +1.5