Hosts Ivory Coast keen to avoid early elimination

• Ivory Coast have three points
• They will take on Equatorial Guinea
• Nigeria will take on Guinea Bissau in the other group match

Hosts Ivory Coast will look to avoid early elimination at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Head coach Jean-Louis Gasset says he expects a physical and closely contested duel when his side takes on Equatorial Guinea in a crucial final Group A fixture in Abidjan.

The hosts have three points from their opening day victory over Guinea Bissau. They hope to do better than their last game against Nigeria where they were beaten 1-0. They are in a must win situation to keep their hopes of a round of 16 alive.

The tactician maintains that he has confidence in his young squad.

“We knew that we had a young team in terms of experience but not in terms of quality. I have confidence in this group; I know that it is young, I know that it is tender; it simply requires psychological work,” the coach said.

“We expect also a very physical match and quite fast against Equatorial Guinea but we are ready for it,” further added the coach.

Meanwhile, With four points from their opening two games Equatorial Guinea need just a point to make the knockout phases.

Hosts to give tough challenge for Micha

Equatorial Guinea players celebrate a goal in a past match. PHOTO/CAF

Equatorial Guinea head coach Juan Micha said they expect a tough duel from the hosts but are ready for it.

“We know it’s a big competition and we have to do better than what we are doing now. We have one foot in the next round but will approach Ivory Coast with the same desire and intensity to win,” said Micha.

The coach adds; “We have had a good tournament and the two games we have played have really been good for us. I know that the players have their confidence high and hopefully we continue in this same manner.”

Captain Emilio Nsue, who scored a hatrick in their 4-2 victory over Guinea Bissau also believes his side has what it takes to progress to the next round.

“We have a group of very talented players and everyone is fighting together. We want to continue and make the next round,” said the veteran.

Equatorial Guinea reached the quarter finals of the last AFCON in Cameroon and will look to repeat the feat and probably do better.

Elsewhere, Nigeria will take on Guinea Bissau in their final Group A match at the Africa Cup of Nations, an opponent that they are well familiar with. The two sides faced off in qualification with Guinea Bissau winning 1-0 in Abuja, but bouncing back to pick a similar win un the return leg.

Peseiro wary of tough Djurtus

Nigeria celebrate their win over Ivory Coast. PHOTO/CAF

And, head coach Jose Peseiro is wary of the threat caused by the Djurtus, despite the fact that they are winless in this edition of the AFCON.

The tactician however says they will not be cowed by what happened in the past, but will work to ensure the present result matters.

“What matters is the present. We focus on the present and the future. We have confidence in ourselves. We are aiming for first place which is also occupied by Equatorial Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire, it is up to us to remain vigilant,” José Peseiro said ahead of the game.

Nigeria are on four points in the group at second spot and just a point will be enough for them to sail through to the round of 16.

But, they will be going all out for a win, as their ambition is to go on and win the title, as defender Kenneth Omeruo explains.

“Our objective is clear. Bring the cup home. It’s been a while since we added a trophy to our cabinet which is not acceptable when you’re wearing the green shirt. I will not say that our defeat against them was accidental, but it does not reflect the spirit which reigns in our camp today. We are hungry for victory, it’s up to us to put everything in place to achieve our ambitions,” he said.