The Ivory Coast will look to seize control of the Group C lead when it takes on Gambia in the World Cup qualifiers on Saturday.
With seven points in three matches, the Elephants are the top squad in Group C. The winner of the group stage moves on to the third round where it will be drawn into a meeting with another group victor. A two-legged contest will then decide which club becomes one of the African representatives at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil next summer.
The Ivory Coast has qualified for the last two World Cups and is in prime position to extend the streak to three. The club opened its tournament with a 2-0 win over Tanzania. In the second match, the team drew 2-2 against Morocco. Fortunately the squad bounced back with a dominant 3-0 win over Gambia in its most recent contest. Yaya Toure and Salomon Kalou lead the Ivory Coast with two goals apiece; Didier Drogba has one tally thus far.
Gambia needs a victory to have any hope of keeping its World Cup hopes alive; even then it is still possible that the team could be on the verge of elimination after Saturday. With only one point, Gambia can obtain a maximum of 10 points with victories in its final three matches. However, a loss would only enable them six more points; Ivory Coast would have 10 points. A draw also does little for a club as it leaves Tanzania with a chance at gaining nine points. If that latter scenario were to play out, Gambia would be eliminated mathematically.
Prediction: Ivory Coast wins 3-1.
Start Time: Kick off starts at 12:30 PM Eastern Standard Time.
TV Info: The match will not be transmitted on television in North America.
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