AFCON 2019 Quarterfinals: Ivory Coast Look to Humble Algeria

Ivory Coast face Algeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal at the New Suez Stadium on Thursday.

Kick-off is at 18:00hrs CAT.

The Elephants advanced to the last eight after a 1-0 victory over Mali in the Round of 16 on Monday evening. Wilfred Zaha scored the only goal in the 76th minute to settle a disappointing clash that ensured the 2016 champions remain unbeaten against the Eagles at the tournament.

Algeria thrashed Guinea 3-0 to book their quarterfinal berth. Youcef Belaili opened the scoring for the North Africans before second-half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Adam Ounas completed the rout.

Ivory Coast coach Ibrahim Camara is well aware of the task ahead, as he has warned his charges of the threat posed by the Fennec Foxes, who have not lost any of their four matches in the competition.

Riyadh Mahrez has been a star for Algeria but Camara knows well that the North African team is formed by a galaxy of stars, thus the Manchester City forward will not be the only threat.

“Algeria is a great team. They do not play only with Riyad Mahrez. If so, the other players would stay in the locker room,” Kamara told reporters. “We will face a team that’s difficult to handle.”

“Algeria is a great team, playing for the final coronation. We have our idea about the Algerian team that is collectively strong with very good individuals.”

Algeria has been excellent in terms of attack and they have so far scored nine goals in four matches, something that has given their coach Djamel Belhami a lot of confidence, though he remains cautious.

“We are now in a new stage where we will face difficulties, so we have to be aware. The players are determined and they will spare no effort to make the people happy, “he said.

“We have to have a good reaction in the case of conceding a goal, a scenario that until now we’ve not experienced during this AFCON. We’d need to recover our poise and change the game in our favour.”

The encounter between the two giants will be eighth game in the Africa Cup of Nations. Ivory Coast have won three to two, with two matches resulting in a draw.

The winner will face either Nigeria or South Africa for a place in the tournament final, which will take place at Cairo International Stadium on 19 July.