After recording an abysmal run in the group stage of the 2023 AFCON in which they recorded two defeats and one win, Ivory Coast who qualified for the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams, were able to hold their own against Senegal.
Though Senegal and Ivory Coast are household names as far as African football is concerned, it was expected that the 2021 AFCON winners would have it easier over the hosts.