The Côte d’Ivoire national team has reserved its place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations currently being held in Morocco, setting up an anticipated date with the Egypt national team in a heavy-caliber confrontation.
The two teams are preparing to clash next Saturday evening, after the Pharaohs succeeded in overcoming the obstacle of the Benin national team, while the Ivorian national team continued its journey by overcoming Burkina Faso in the round of 16, igniting one of the most awaited confrontations on the African continent.
History of confrontations between Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire
Since the beginning of the new millennium, the matches between Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire have turned into purely African summits, which do not recognize prior expectations and do not favor resonant names, no matter how crowded the Elephants’ roster is with stars.
Over the years, history has witnessed remarkable Egyptian superiority in most of the decisive confrontations between the two teams.
At the level of the African Cup of Nations, the two teams met in 11 matches, during which the balance was clearly tilted in favor of the Egyptian team, with only one win for Côte d’Ivoire, which reinforced the idea of the complex that chases elephants in front of the Pharaohs on major dates.
Unforgettable stops between Egypt and Co d’Ivoire
Egyptian superiority began early, when the match for third place in the 1970 edition was decided by three goals to one, followed by victories in the 1974, 1980, 1984 and 1986 editions, while the only Ivorian victory came in the 1990 edition.
In the 1986 edition, which was hosted by Egypt, the Pharaohs excelled in the group stage with a double from Shawqi Gharib and Gamal Abdel Hamid, before continuing the journey and winning the continental title.
The quarter-finals of the 1998 edition also witnessed one of the most exciting matches, when the Egyptian team prevailed on penalties, 5-4, before continuing its path to the coronation at the expense of South Africa.
Lessons 2006 and 2008
The 2006 and 2008 matches remain the most prominent in the fans’ memory, as the Côte d’Ivoire national team entered both matches armed with the stars of its golden generation, led by Didier Drogba, but it clashed with an Egyptian team that knew how to win finals.
In the 2006 edition, the Pharaohs defeated the Elephants in the group stage with a score of 3-1, before the meeting was renewed in the final, which ended with an Egyptian victory via penalty kicks. In the 2008 edition, the Egyptian victory was clearer, with a 4-1 win, which paved the way to a new title.
Scenario is repeated
Even in the 2021 edition in Cameroon, the scene was not much different. An equal confrontation was won by the Egyptian team again with a score of 5-4 on penalty kicks in the round of 16, confirming that the meeting between Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire is often a gateway for the Pharaohs to the final rounds.
With the renewal of the clash in the 2025 edition, the fans are anticipating a new chapter of a historical struggle, which carries within it many rivalries, memories, and ambition towards the podium.
