Ivory Coast is gearing up to kick off the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), with a well-defined schedule for the first two matchdays. The Elephants, the reigning champions of Africa, will start their campaign on September 6, 2024, in front of their home fans in Bouaké.

National team coach Emerse Fae will hold a press conference on August 26 to announce the squad for the opening matches of the qualifiers. The team will gather in Abidjan on September 2, with the first training session open to the media scheduled for September 3 at Lycée Technique Abidjan – Cocody.

Following this, the Elephants will head to Bouaké for their match against Zambia on September 6 at the Stade de la Paix. After this opening fixture, Ivory Coast will travel to Yaoundé to face Chad on September 10 at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo. Due to the lack of a suitable stadium, Chad has opted to host its home matches in Cameroon.

The schedule for the Elephants before their matches against Zambia and Chad is as follows:

• Monday, August 26, 2024: Coach Emerse Fae's press conference (3:00 PM GMT)
• Monday, September 2, 2024: Team gathering begins
• Tuesday, September 3, 2024: Media open training at Lycée Technique Abidjan – Cocody (5:00 PM GMT)
• Wednesday, September 4, 2024: Departure for Bouaké
• Thursday, September 5, 2024: Pre-match press conference at Stade de la Paix in Bouaké (4:45 PM GMT)
• Friday, September 6, 2024: Ivory Coast vs. Zambia at Stade de la Paix, Bouaké (7:00 PM GMT)
• Sunday, September 8, 2024: Departure for Yaoundé (Cameroon)
• Tuesday, September 10, 2024: Chad vs. Ivory Coast at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé (7:00 PM GMT)

As the defending champions, the Elephants are set to embark on this qualifying campaign with the goal of retaining their title and continuing their successful run on the continent.

MC

Souce FIF