Morocco will square off with Ivory Coast in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C match at the Stade d’Oyem in the Gabonese city of Oyem on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 22h00 (EAT).

It is an important football clash between two strong African football nations who will try to put their best efforts to make sure their progress in the next knockout stage of Africa Cup of Nations 2017.

Morocco need a point to be sure of a place in the quarterfinals after recovering from opening defeat to DR Congo before registering a 3-1 win against Togo.

Defending champions Ivory Coast were among the pre-tournament favourites, but were held by Togo to a goalless draw before registering a 2-2 result against DR Congo.

DR Congo are top of the group on four points,with Morocco having three.Ivory Coast have gathered two points,while Togo has one but all four teams can still go through or crash out on the final match today.

Morocco head coach,Herve Renard is aware of the fact they need to beat his former side Ivory Coast in order to advance to the quarter-finals.

“Sometimes, at an Africa Cup of Nations, you have to respond to setbacks and just stay solid,” Renard said of Morocco’s response in their second game.

“I remember with Ivory Coast last time, we only drew our first two matches and then went through with a 1-0 win the last game”,he said.

Morocco will be depending on Aziz Bouhaddouz in search for goals.The St Pauli forward  headed an equaliser for Morocco against Togo, which started their impressive comeback.

Aziz is new to international football having only made his debut last year, but has started both games at the tournament and already emerged as an integral part of his side’s attack.

Ivory Coast head coach Michel Dussuyer is under pressure to mastermind a victory which would see his star-studded side book their place in the quarter-final.

For Ivory Coast Manchester United’s Eric Bailly will be a crucial cog in the Elephants’ defence having started both matches so far and will needes to make sure rhe Morocco forwards are not entertained near the goal area.

Currently Morocco has secured 57 position and Ivory Coast is in 34 position in the latest FIFA World ranking.

Head-to-head – Ivory Coast v Morocco
Matches played:                  17
Morocco Wins:                     4
Ivory Coast Wins:                6
Draws:                                    7
Morocco goals scored:        23
Ivory Coast goals scored:    24
Last match: 12 November 2016 in Marrakech – Morocco 0-0 Ivory Coast