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AFCON 2027 PREDICTIONS
Ivory Coast v Gambia and Ghana v Somalia predictions: Elephants face the Scorpions' sting, Black Stars must shine
Group C of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers heats up on Thursday 12 November: bottom side Ghana host Somalia (15:00 GMT), then Ivory Coast take on Gambia in a clash of the joint leaders (19:00 GMT). Our predictions, backed by the numbers.
On Thursday 12 November, Group C of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers has a lot riding on it. At 15:00 GMT, bottom-placed Ghana must beat Somalia to keep their AFCON 2027 hopes alive. At 19:00 GMT, Ivory Coast v Gambia brings together the joint leaders, both on 6 points. Here are our predictions, built on the numbers from these qualifiers.
Our tips at a glance
| Match | Time (GMT) | Our tip | Safer option | Likely score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ghana –  Somalia | 15:00 | Ghana to win | Under 3.5 goals | 2-0 |
 Ivory Coast –  Gambia | 19:00 | Ivory Coast to win | Ivory Coast or draw | 2-0 |
Times in GMT: same time in Abidjan, Accra, Dakar and Bamako; +1 hour in Lagos, Kinshasa, Douala and Algiers; +3 hours in Nairobi.
Group C standings before matchday 3
| # | Team | P | Goals | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivory Coast | 2 | 4-0 | 6 |
| 2 | Gambia | 2 | 6-3 | 6 |
| 3 | Somalia | 2 | 1-4 | 0 |
| 4 | Ghana | 2 | 2-6 | 0 |
Only the top two in the group reach AFCON 2027 (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, June–July 2027). With a 6-point gap already between the top two and the bottom two, this double header (12 and 16–17 November) could settle almost everything.
Ghana v Somalia prediction: the Black Stars must shine
The Black Stars have rarely lived up to their name less: 0 points from 2 games, 2 goals scored and 6 conceded, bottom of the group. The game is played at the Essipong Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi (not in Accra, which hosts the return game on 16 November). Somalia's Ocean Stars have scored just once in two games and conceded 4.
Ghana remain clear favourites on paper and can no longer afford to drop points. But a side short of confidence does not score many: we expect a win without a goal fest.
- Tip: Ghana to win
- Safer option: under 3.5 goals in the match
- Likely score: 2-0
Ivory Coast v Gambia prediction: the Elephants face the Scorpions' sting
It is the game of the night at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké. The Elephants have won every game and have not conceded a goal (4-0 on aggregate). Gambia's Scorpions have also won both their games, with the best attack in the group (6 goals), but a leakier defence (3 goals conceded). The winner goes top on their own before the return game in Bakau on 17 November.
At home, Ivory Coast start as favourites. But Gambia have shown they can sting: so, for a safer bet, we prefer "Ivory Coast or draw" to the classic "both teams not to score".
- Tip: Ivory Coast to win
- Safer option: Ivory Coast or draw (double chance)
- Likely score: 2-0
The return games
- Monday 16 November, 15:00 GMT: Somalia v Ghana, at the Accra Sports Stadium (Accra)
- Tuesday 17 November, 16:00 GMT: Gambia v Ivory Coast, at the Independence Stadium, Bakau
The full schedule for all 12 groups and every table is in our article AFCON 2027 qualifiers: matchdays 3 and 4 fixtures and standings. Live scores are on our Ghana v Somalia and Ivory Coast v Gambia match pages.
Our method
Our predictions are based on the numbers: standings, goals scored and conceded, home advantage. They guarantee no result. Betting must remain entertainment for over-18s only: play responsibly.
Live scores and results:
Questions fréquentes
What time is Ivory Coast v Gambia?
Thursday 12 November 2026 at 19:00 GMT (20:00 in Lagos and Kinshasa, 22:00 in Nairobi), at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
Where and when is Ghana v Somalia?
Thursday 12 November 2026 at 15:00 GMT, at the Essipong Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana.
What is the Ivory Coast v Gambia prediction?
Our tip: Ivory Coast to win, likely score 2-0. Safer option: Ivory Coast or draw (double chance).
What is the Ghana v Somalia prediction?
Our tip: Ghana to win, likely score 2-0. Safer option: under 3.5 goals in the match.
What are the AFCON 2027 qualifiers Group C standings?
After 2 matchdays: 1. Ivory Coast 6 pts (4-0), 2. Gambia 6 pts (6-3), 3. Somalia 0 pts (1-4), 4. Ghana 0 pts (2-6).
How many Group C teams qualify for AFCON 2027?
The top two in the group qualify for the finals, in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in June–July 2027.