Coach Jean-Louis Gasset of hosts Cote D’Ivoire says his team will be meeting Nigeria “too early” in their second group A match of AFCON 2023. Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau are the other two teams in the group, with Nigeria and the hosts favoured to snatch the group’s qualifying berths.
However, the Elephants coach Jean-Louis Gasset appears to see things differently. He tells ACLsports that all four teams have an equal chance.
“Since the draw I have been hearing Cote D’Ivoire and Nigeria as the two sides to progress from the group. That’s funny to me,” he says. “This is an Afcon. It’s a big competition. Every qualified team is aiming for success. Don’t be surprised to see surprises. Our main objective as a host nation is the ultimate but we have to lay the foundation right in the group stage.”
Cote d’Ivoire’s golden generation of players like Didier Drogba, the Toure brothers, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou, etc, has petered out but the team remains a competitive force now led by Borussia Dortmund star Sebastien Haller and Wilfried Zaha of Galatasaray.
“Don’t fall for that. Zambia won the 2012 Afcon with who and who? Even the 2015 Afcon that Cote D’Ivoire won, how many world-class players were part of the team? I believe we have a strong outfit that can challenge anybody. Like I said earlier, we will be taking one step after the other. We will concentrate on the group challenges to hopefully book our place in the next round,” he says.
The Elephants will open their campaign against Guinea-Bissau before the high-voltage clash with Nigeria on matchday two.
“Unfortunately, we are to meet Nigeria in our second game. I would have loved it to be the last. They say the Elephants are no longer as great as they were, I see the same for Nigeria too. Back in the day the Super Eagles were phenomenal but things have changed. However, they remain a solid side and could destroy any team in the competition so you have to be careful.”
Group A will play their games at the newly-built 60,000 capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan where Gasset and his charges are expected to enjoy a breath-taking support. But the French manager does not see that as a huge favour.
“Football takes place on the pitch and not in the stands. I have always told my players to ignore the screams and focus on the game. Feasting will come later. The pressure will be on us because locals are expecting nothing short of success, but never get carried away by that.”
Cote D’Ivoire and Nigeria last met in the Africa Cup Nations in 2013, with the Super Eagles prevailing 2-1 to progress to the semifinals and eventually winning the tournament.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on January 13, 2024 through February 11.
