Morocco U23 vs Côte d'Ivoire U20 - Friendlies

All eyes turn to the home ground on March 26, 2026 as Morocco U23 welcome Côte d'Ivoire U20 in a Friendlies encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. O'Neill made five changes for Celtic's midweek win at St Johnstone as he rested some key players ahead of Sunday's clash.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the Friendlies contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. Morocco U23 will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. Paulo Fonseca's men are still smarting from their Champions League play-off exit but now sit third in the table.

Set-piece efficiency and transition play often decide fixtures of this nature, and both managers will have been drilling those phases on the training ground. They are sticking to the principles of possession and pressing that have taken them from the fourth tier.

Individual quality could tip the balance. The league's leading scorer M. Sabitzer, with 3 goals to his name this season, is a reminder of the firepower on display. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. As one of those fortunate enough to be inside the Westfalenstadion when he raced clear to score a Champions League winner against Chelsea in 2023, it is fair to say that Adeyemi's pace leaves an impression.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. With the sides so closely matched, a 1-1 stalemate looks the most likely way this one ends. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. Important qualities given that Bournemouth will expect him to be proactive.