Sofia Quijada
The Maurice Revello Tournament 2026 wraps up with a third-place playoff between two African U23 sides, Ivory Coast and D.R. Congo, at Brann Stadion in Bergen. Both teams arrive having been eliminated in the semifinals, but this is far from a dead rubber: African youth football pride is on the line, and both squads showed enough quality in the group stage to make this genuinely competitive. Ivory Coast enter unbeaten in their last four matches (W2 D2), while D.R. Congo come in having conceded just once in their last two outings after a shaky start to the tournament. The interesting angle here is that D.R. Congo have been significantly more productive in front of goal across their last five matches, netting seven times compared to Ivory Coast’s two, suggesting a side that has found its rhythm at the right moment.
Midfielder Malick Yalcouyé is Ivory Coast’s most active attacking contributor from deep, registering eight shots and 79 passes across the last two matches, bringing consistent energy to the midfield. For D.R. Congo, forward Oscar Kabwit Tshikomb stands out with two goals and five shots in three appearances, giving the Congolese attack a reliable focal point.
Hot stat: D.R. Congo U23 have scored seven goals across their last five matches while committing 38 fouls and earning seven yellow cards, making them the more aggressive and direct side in this matchup by a considerable margin.
| 🏆 Tournament: | Maurice Revello Tournament 2026, Third Place |
| 🏟 Venue: | Brann Stadion, Bergen |
| 🗓️ Date: | 13.06.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 13:30 CEST |
Ivory Coast U23 vs D.R. Congo U23 Prediction
D.R. Congo’s attacking output has been the clearest differentiator in this tournament. Their 7 goals from five matches, combined with 36 total shots, edges past Ivory Coast’s 35 shots and just 2 goals. The Congolese side converts at a much higher rate, and their midfield trio of Jules Ahoka, Josué Kimboma, and Honoré Bayanginisa provides both creativity and pressing intensity. Ivory Coast, by contrast, have leaned on defensive solidity, conceding fewer clear chances but also struggling to find the net regularly.
Ivory Coast’s passing numbers tell a disciplined story: 645 passes with 500 accurate, reflecting a structured, cautious build-up. D.R. Congo nearly doubles that volume (1194 passes, 981 accurate), meaning they dominate possession and sustain pressure. Ivory Coast’s lower foul count (32 vs 38) suggests they defend more passively, which could allow D.R. Congo’s mobile forwards space to operate. We predict D.R. Congo to win this match, with goals likely from both sides given Ivory Coast’s attacking intent in their semifinal against Canada.
- We predict a D.R. Congo U23 win as the primary bet.
- Over 2.5 goals is a strong secondary option given both teams’ recent scoring records.
- Both Teams to Score looks likely based on Ivory Coast’s ability to find the net and D.R. Congo’s occasional defensive lapses.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | D.R. Congo U23 to score in both halves |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Ivory Coast U23 have been steady rather than spectacular across this tournament. Their 3-1 win over Venezuela and 3-3 draw with Japan showed they can score, but the 0-0 stalemate against Portugal and a narrow 2-1 win over Canada in the semifinal reflect a side that struggles to impose itself against organized defenses. Under coach Mamadou Doumbia, they operate in a 4-2-3-1 and rely on individual moments rather than systemic pressure. The Canada win was secured with Djiamgone Jocelin Ta Bi netting twice, but Ivory Coast generated just 35 shots across their last two games combined, and their 12 corners suggest they do look to create width.
D.R. Congo U23 have improved markedly as the tournament progressed. After a 0-3 defeat to Tunisia and a 0-1 loss to Algeria, they responded with a 3-0 demolition of China, a 2-2 draw with Colombia, and a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in their most recent outing. That momentum is significant. Coach Guy Bukasa’s 4-2-3-1 setup generates high shot volumes (36 across the last five games) and their 34 interceptions compared to Ivory Coast’s 18 shows a side that presses aggressively and wins the ball high up the pitch. Their 9 offsides also indicate forwards constantly running in behind, which will test Ivory Coast’s defensive line.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
There is no recorded recent head-to-head data between these two sides at U23 level, so the table below reflects aggregated stats from each team’s last five matches for direct comparison.
| Statistic | Ivory Coast U23 | D.R. Congo U23 |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots | 35 | 36 |
| Free kicks | 30 | 42 |
| Corner kicks | 12 | 10 |
| Total fouls | 32 | 38 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 77 | 82 |
| Interceptions | 18 | 34 |
| Offsides | 2 | 9 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Ivory Coast U23 vs D.R. Congo U23 stats page for more info.
Bookmaker odds are unavailable for this fixture, which is not unusual for U23 tournament third-place matches. Based on the statistics available, D.R. Congo’s superior goal output and pressing intensity make them the logical favorite. Ivory Coast’s defensive structure keeps them competitive, but their attacking numbers do not support a win prediction. Over 2.5 goals and BTTS would be our preferred markets given the combined scoring form across both squads in recent outings.
Possible Starting Lineups
Ivory Coast U23 Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Yvann Konan
- DF: Luck Zogbe, Élie N’Gatta, Mamadou Sidibe, Christ Tape
- MF: Moussa Kone, Eddy Doué, Malick Yalcouyé, Patrick Zabi
- FW: Dramane Kamagate, Loukou Jaures-Ulrich
Yvann Konan starts in goal, having played 180 minutes across the last two matches. The back four picks itself based on playing time, with Élie N’Gatta and Mamadou Sidibe providing the central pairing. Malick Yalcouyé is the player to watch in midfield, his eight shots and 79 passes show he drives forward regularly. Eddy Doué adds defensive cover with four interceptions, balancing Yalcouyé’s attacking runs. Doumbia is expected to stick with his 4-2-3-1 setup, with Dramane Kamagate and Loukou Jaures-Ulrich leading the line.
D.R. Congo U23 Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Ryan Tutu
- DF: Ethan Kena Kabeya, Manoel Verhaeghe, Ludovick Wola-Wetshay, Filozofe Mabete
- MF: Jules Ahoka, Josué Kimboma, Honoré Bayanginisa, Messy Manitu
- FW: Oscar Kabwit Tshikomb, Jordi Kuange Makala
Ryan Tutu is the undisputed starter in goal with nine saves across three matches. The back four is anchored by Ethan Kena Kabeya and Manoel Verhaeghe, both regular starters with strong passing numbers. Jules Ahoka is the key man to watch: two goals, five interceptions, and 163 passes in three games make him D.R. Congo’s most complete performer. Oscar Kabwit Tshikomb leads the attack with two goals and the most shots among forwards. Bukasa will almost certainly deploy his 4-2-3-1, with Ahoka and Kimboma forming a dynamic central midfield pairing.
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D.R. Congo U23. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
D.R. Congo U23 are the pick here. Their trajectory across this tournament points upward: three wins in their last three competitive matches, a defense that has tightened considerably, and an attack built around mobile, direct forwards. Ivory Coast’s solidity is real, but their conversion rate across this tournament has been too low to trust them against a side pressing as aggressively as D.R. Congo. We predict a 2-1 win for D.R. Congo, with goals from both sides and the Congolese side securing a third-place finish at the Maurice Revello Tournament 2026.
