Ivory Coast took another step towards clinching a first World Cup appearance since 2006 as they held their own to secure a 1-0 victory over Burundi at the Stade d'honneur de Meknes on Friday.

Making just his second appearance in the Elephants' colours, Evann Guessand's 11th-minute proved the difference as Burundi were condemned to a fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions.

Head coach Emerse Fae will be delighted with his side's start to the year, particularly coming off the back of a penalty-shootout loss against Burkina Faso in the 2025 African Nations Championship playoffs on December 28, when Les Etalons overturned a two-goal deficit from the first leg.

With Friday's victory, Ivory Coast are one of just six unbeaten nations in the World Cup qualifying race, picking up four wins and one draw from their five matches so far to lead the way at the top of the Group F standings, one point above second-placed Gabon.

The Elephants will take pride in their defensive sturdiness, a significant factor in what has been a dominant qualifying campaign, as they are one of just two sides yet to concede a goal so far while netting 13 at the opposite end of the pitch.

In stark contrast, defensive vulnerability has been the biggest challenge to Gambia's quest for a first-ever World Cup ticket and this was highlighted on Thursday when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Kenya at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium.

In an action-packed second half, Michael Olunga and Mohammed Bajaber hit the target to draw Kenya level having gone two goals down within 15 minutes of the restart, and after Musa Barrow grabbed his second of the game to put Gambia in front, Central Coast Mariners midfielder William Wilson netted in the 96th minute to force a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Johnny McKinstry's men snapped their run of two consecutive defeats in Group F with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Seychelles in June 2024, three days before crashing back down to earth in a 3-2 defeat against Gabon at the Stade de Franceville.

Gambia have picked up four points from a possible 15 while conceding 12 goals and scoring 12 across their five games so far to sit fifth in the group standings, only above Seychelles who are one of just four nations yet to pick up any points in the qualifiers.

While victory on Monday could kickstart the Scorpions' late charge for a World Cup ticket, they have lost each of their last four games against Ivory Coast, conceding 13 goals and failing to find the back of the net since a 3-2 victory in November 1984.

Having missed the last three international windows due to injury, Sebastian Haller registered an assist on his return to action for Ivory Coast against Burundi on Friday and we expect the 30-year-old to spearhead the attack once again.

The Dortmund striker, currently on loan at Utrecht, should be joined in the final third by Guessand and 27-year-old Jean-Philippe Krasso, while we expect an unchanged back three of Emmanuel Agbadou, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Monaco man Williams Singo.

Franck Kessie made his 81st appearance for the Elephants against Burundi and the experienced midfielder should retain his role at the centre of the park, teaming up with Jean-Eudes Aholou, Guela Doue and Udinese's Hassane Kamara.

Musa Barrow entered double digit goals for Gambia (11) with his brace against Kenya last Friday and the 26-year-old striker will be looking to deliver the goods at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

Yankuba Minteh, who is in fine form for Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League this season, was also on the scoresheet on Friday and we expect the 20-year-old to retain his role in the XI, while Momodou Lion Njie, Sheriff Sinyan and Omar Colley, who made his senior debut in December 2012, should form the back three once again.

Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:

Y Fofana; Agbadou, Gbamin, Singo; Kamara, Kessie, Aholou, Doue; Guessand, Krasso, Haller

Gambia possible starting lineup:

Jarju; Njie, Sinyan, Colley; Ceesay, Bajo, Barry, Fadera; Minteh, Sowe, Barrow