Ahead of the Make or Mar clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Elephants of Ivory Coast Coach Jose Peseiro says the team needs divine intervention to remain in the competition
Peseiro was reacting to the several missed opportunities in his team’s first game against Equatorial Guinea.
That draw coupled with Ivory Coast opening day victory means the eagles are condemned to winning today’s game
While both teams have shared three wins in nine AFCON meetings, it is the Elephants that however head into Thursday’s clash at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, as favourites.
Tournament opening 2-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau means Jean-Louis Gasset’s men could become the first team to qualify for the knockout stage with another win against an injury-ravaged Nigerian team.
A draw however could potentially throw the group open depending on results elsewhere in the earlier fixture between Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
Despite the Ivorianns having a more stable outlook, manager Jean-Louis Gasset is expecting a difficult test against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a top team, they have good players, some of the best in Africa. You can’t judge them with the first game against Equatorial Guinea,” Gasset told a press conference in Abidjan on Wednesday.
“I think they struggled with the weather a bit in their first game. It’s not easy to play at 2pm here. Teams struggled even when they play in the evening, so you can imagine how difficult it was for them.”
“So, we are not going to judge them with the performance against Equatorial Guinea.
“It’s not going to be an easy game for us. They are a tough opponent and will make things difficult for us,” the French man added.
The game starts 6:00 pm, Nigerian time.
