In a strategic move to gear up for the upcoming CAN Côte d’Ivoire 2023, the Ivory Coast Football Federation has officially announced a high-stakes preparation match between the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.
“As part of its preparation for the upcoming Afcon 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire, the Ivorian Football Federation (la FIF) informs the national and international press that the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire will play against the Leone Stars of sierra Leone,” the notice reads.
The showdown is set to take place on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the esteemed Laurent Pokou de San Pedro Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
This clash holds particular significance as the last encounter between these two football powerhouses during AFCON witnessed a gripping 2-2 draw. The Leone Stars, displaying resilience, rallied from behind to secure a point against the Elephants. A dramatic turn of events unfolded as Sierra Leone’s Alhaji Kamara capitalized on a goalkeeping mishap by Badra Ali Sangare, seizing a 95th-minute equalizer. This pivotal moment earned Sierra Leone their second point in the tournament, following a goalless draw against defending champions Algeria.
Notably, harking back to the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia, Ivory Coast had dominated, triumphing over Sierra Leone with a commanding 4-0 victory.
