Egypt will do battle with tournament favorites Ivory Coast for a place in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals at Stade Omnisport de Douala on Tuesday evening.
Kick-off is at 16h00 GMT.
The Pharaohs bounced back from an opening defeat to Nigeria in Group D to finish as runners-up thanks to successive wins over Sudan and Equatorial Guinea,
Egypt have conceded only one goal in the tournament and look more than capable of going all the way to the final, even though their attack has yet to really click.
Coach Caroz Queiroz believes his charges are improving and has improved a better show in his team fight for the last eight stage.
“Egypt are getting stronger in this competition. From the first to the last group game, you have noticed that the team is better. Against Cote d’Ivoire, we will ignore the past to focus on the present,” the coach said.
“We are going to make sure that the best team on the pitch is Egypt. Tomorrow we can please the millions of fans across Egypt. We have great players and we are a beautiful team”.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, advanced to the knockout stages after emerging top in Group B as they collected seven points, beating title-holders Algeria in the process.
Patrice Beaumelle’s men conceded three goals and scored six in a group that had Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea.
The Elephants’ squad pedigree has seen the West Africans become one of the favourites to win the tournament in Cameroon, and the coach has emphasized that his men have great capabilities that will allow them to go far in the tournament.
“Our current target is to go as far as possible in the tournament, these players have what it takes to do well,” Beaumelle said.
“We are ready for the game, thankfully, none of the players tested positive for COVID-19.
“My players have gained a lot of confidence, the game will be a tactical one and we will do what we can to contain Egypt’s danger on the pitch.”
In head-to-head stats, Ivory Coast and Egypt have met in 21 matches across all competitions since their first clash back in 1970. The Pharaohs have claimed 11 wins compared to seven for the Elephants, while three games have been drawn.
The winner between Egypt and Ivory Coast will earn a spot in the quarter-finals, where they will face Morocco on Sunday.
