Heavyweights Ivory Coast and Algeria will meet in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo on Sunday night, kick-off at 21:30 CAT.
Ivory Coast topped Group D – arguably the toughest of the tournament – thanks to draws with Guinea and Mali, as well as a narrow victory over Cameroon.
The Elephants have not been at their fluent best, but coach Herve Renard says their slow start to the tournament has not concerned him.
"I think we showed everything you need to win a competition. All the teams in the last eight will want to get to the final - we are only three steps from the title,” said Renard after the 1-0 win over Cameroon.
"We do this job to win. We won't be happy if we lose in the semifinals or even in the final, because if that happens it will always come into your mind for the rest of your life.
"I said before this game that it's not necessary in a Cup of Nations to start too quickly because it's a very difficult competition and with players like this they are ready to compete. They love games like this.”
Algeria have had a mixed tournament thus far. Impressive wins over South Africa and Senegal sandwiched a 1-0 loss to Ghana in which they conceded a last-gasp goal and never really found their stride.
The Fennec Foxes advanced as runners-up from Group C after those results and coach Christian Gourcuff feels his side has shown signs of their exceptional quality.
"After the Ghana game we were not the worst team in the world just because we conceded right at the end. Credit to the players for going out and getting the win [against Senegal]," said Gourcuff. “It was not easy to get out of this group.”
Algeria have had injury and health concerns over the trio of Yacine Brahimi, Madjid Bougherra and Islam Slimani, but Gourcuff has said that all three are likely to be available for Sunday, while Ivory Coast will have Gervinho back after serving out his two-game suspension for a red card in their opening match.
The teams have met in two of the last three Afcon tournaments. The Fennec Foxes defeated the Elephants 3-2 after extra time in the quarterfinals of the 2010 edition in Angola, while the teams drew 2-2 in a group stage match in South Africa 2013.
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