A one-sided quarter-final is in the offing when the all-powerful Cote d’Ivoire go up against co-hosts Equatorial Guinea in the African Nations Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
The Ivorians are the continent’s top-ranked side and play minnows who are ranked at 151st in the world. The game pits superstars from the top clubs in Europe against players cobbled together from the lower leagues of Spain and hired in from other countries to strengthen their chances.
On paper, everything points to a runaway win for Didier Drogba and his team mates, who have now firmly established themselves as favourites to take the Nations Cup title.
Equatorial Guinea admittedly did upset the odds in beating Senegal in their group and becoming the first team to qualify for the last eight, but the only factor in their favour this weekend will be the home crowd.
Unfortunately for the team, the Estadio Nueva in Malabo is half the size of the 35,000-seater Estadio Bata, in the city of that name, where a rollicking atmosphere and passionate support lifted the Nzalang Nacional to previously undreamed of heights.
Equatorial Guinea are in the capital because they failed to win Group A, beaten in their last match by Zambia when a better-organised side quickly showed the limited capacity of the hosts.
“They [the Ivorians] have world-class players and a lot of quality in all departments. It is a very solid team and their record is still impeccable,” said Equatorial Guinea captain Juvenal Edjogo. “We’ll have to play on a perfect level to beat them, but we won’t give anything up,” he promised.
The Ivorians are expected to be cautious, as has been their style throughout the tournament so far, but an attack led by Drogba, Gervinho and the now injury-free Salomon Kalou will likely be much more than the semi-professionals of Equatorial Guinea will be able to handle. If not, the upset will rank even higher than the win over Senegal last week, now regarded as the biggest shock in Nations Cup finals history.
Cote d’Ivoire coach Francois Zahoui says his opponents merit respect and has reminded his players that football is not just about technique. “It’s about physical condition, tactics and a strong mental attitude.”
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