Chad's bid for their first-ever AFCON appearance began on Friday when they played out a goalless draw with Sierra Leone at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

A total of 19 shots were fired between the two nations, but neither goalkeeper was able to find the back of the net, with the draw a fair result on reflection.

While head coach Kevin Nicaise would have preferred all three points, the 39-year-old will be proud of his side's performance after losing all four of their World Cup qualifiers to finish bottom of Group I.

Chad have now gone unbeaten in three consecutive AFCON qualifiers, having beaten Mauritania home and away in the first round in March and then beating the Lions of Chinguetti 3-1 on aggregate.

On the other hand, reigning African champions Côte d'Ivoire started their qualifying journey on a positive note with a 2-0 win over Zambia in Friday's clash between the two nations.

After a goalless first half at the Stade de la Paix, Paris FC striker Jean-Philippe Krasso single-handedly put the visitors to the sword, scoring twice in an 11-minute spell to secure all three points for Côte d'Ivoire.

Côte d'Ivoire have now gone nine games without defeat in all competitions, winning seven and drawing two, a run which culminated in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final on 11 February to claim their third AFCON title.

Emerse Fae's men are also well on the way to securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having taken 10 points from the first 12 available in Group F to finish top of the standings, one point clear of Gabon in the play-off places.

Côte d'Ivoire will be hoping to pick up where they left off on Saturday against an opponent who have failed to win 16 of their last 18 games in all competitions, losing 12 and drawing four since November 2015.

Chad possible starting lineup:

Gabin; Osee, Tchouplaou, Abdaraman, Ngouyamsa, Thiam; Hiver, Damba, Yeo, Allarabaye; Mouandilmadji

Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:

Fofana; Singo, Agbadou, Ndicka, Operi; Diallo, Seri, Kessie; Diakite, Krasso, Adingra

Prediction:Chad 0-3 Ivory Coast

Chad VS Ivory Coast stream and TV listing

International：Holasports