Lesotho vs Ivory Coast – As part of the 2023 AFCON qualifying round, Ivory Coast travels to Lesotho’s Dobsonville Stadium on Thursday with hopes of extending their lead at the top of Group H. This is a chance for the hosts, who have gone five games without a win in all competitions, to snap their losing streak and kick-start their campaign.
Lesotho were beaten 2-0 by Comoros in the Group H opener on Friday. Youssouf M’Changama and Benjaloud Youssaf scored second-half goals for the hosts in a one-sided match at the Stade Omnisports de Malouzini. All competitions, Lesotho have now gone five games without a win since beating Zambia 2-1 in the COSAFA Cup on July 20, 2021, drawing two and losing three.
For the first time in their history, Leslie Notsi’s men, who are attempting to make their debut participation at the Africa Cup of Nations, are without a win in their past eight qualifying matches. Ivory Coast, on the other hand, kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a bang, defeating Zambia 3-1 in their opening group game on Friday.
Lesotho vs Ivory Coast – Betting Analysis
Serge Aurier, Christian Kouame, and Ibrahim Sangare scored for the hosts after a scoreless first half at the Municipal Stadium. Leicester City’s Patson Daka added a consolation goal in the 94th minute. Prior to that, the Elephants had lost three straight games, including a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Egypt in the 2022 AFCON in January and a pair of friendly losses to France and England in March.
Four victories and one draw in their previous five AFCON qualification matches have kept Ivory Coast undefeated since their 2-1 setback to Ethiopia in November 2019. It’s now time for Jean-Louis Gasset’s men, who have won the continental championship on two times, to retain this good streak and make a 10th consecutive appearance at the biannual event since their absence in 2004.
A Lesotho side that has won only once in their past 17 matches since June 2019 will have Ivory Coast salivating. With their superiority and expertise, we anticipate that the Elephants will walk away with a clean sheet in this match.
Lesotho vs Ivory Coast – Head To Head
Our Prediction: Away To Win
Recommended Prediction:
