Ivory Coast strengthened their position at the top of the group table with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gambia at home. The win saw them extend their points tally to 16, maintaining a narrow one-point lead over Gabon.

The decisive moment of the match came early in the 15th minute when Sébastien Haller found the back of the net. Simon Adingra delivered a precise assist, setting up Haller, who clinically finished past the Gambian goalkeeper to give the Elephants the advantage.

Despite both teams pushing for more goals in the second half—Ivory Coast seeking to extend their lead and Gambia searching for an equalizer—the match remained goalless after the break. Solid defensive displays from both sides ensured that the scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle.

With this crucial victory, Ivory Coast reaffirmed their dominance in the group, edging closer to securing qualification. The Elephants now set their sights on their upcoming fixtures, determined to maintain their top position and secure their place in the next stage.