Ivory Coast vs Algeria preview- African Cup of Nations
Posted on | January 23, 2010 | No Comments
Game :- Ivory Coast vs Algeria
Competition :- Quarterfinals, African Cup of Nations 2010.
Venue:-Estádio Chimandela, Cabinda
Date :- 24th January, 2010
KO time :- 20.30 Angolan time.
Ivory Coast and Algeria meet for the first time ever in an African Nations Cup quarterfinal this Sunday, with a possible semifinal meeting against holders Egypt awaiting the winner.
Ivory Coast started off with a disappointing draw against Burkina Faso but did enough to beat Ghana’s youngsters 3-1 in their second game. However the withdrawal of Togo means that the Ivorians have not played for nearly a week and that may work in Algeria’s favour.
Ivory Coast played with a 4-1-4-1 formation in both their group games. Skipper Didier Drogba operates as the sole striker with Gervinho and Salomon Kalou operating on the wings behind him. Right back Emmanuel Eboue is suspended after seeing red against Ghana. Vahid Halilhodzic is expected to replace the Arsenal star with HSV’s Guy Demel.
Ivory Coast results- last five games- all competitions- Ivory Coast scorers in brackets
Ivory Coast 3-1 Ghana ( Gervinho, Sieka Tiene, Didier Drogba)
Ivory Coast 0-0 Burkina Faso
Ivory Coast 1-0 Tanzania ( Didier Drogba)
Germany 2-2 Ivory Coast ( Doumbia Seydou, Emmanuel Eboue )
Ivory Coast 3-0 Guinea ( Gervinho*2, Sieka Tiene)
Drogba and Gervinho are hot favourites to score against Algeria, and you can see the odds for them at Paddypower and Bet 365.
Algeria were made to work hard for their qualification. The Desert Foxes put in a toothless performance against Malawi in their group opener but a win against Mali, followed by a goalless draw against hosts Angola, was enough to see Les Fennecs through.
Coach Rabah Saadane will be worried by the form of his forward line. In three games at the 2010 African Cup of Nations, Algeria scored only once and that too came from their defence. Abdelkader Ghezzal, who started as the lone striker against both Mali and Angola, will have his job cut out against the likes of Kolo Toure and Sol Bamba. A lot will depend on playmaker Karim Ziani and how he fares against Yaya Toure and Didier Zokora in the middle of the park.
Verdict:- Les Elephants look too strong for the Foxes on paper. Also, Algeria’s form at this stage of the tournament is against them- they have failed to win on the previous three occasions they reached the last eight.
Ivory Coast 2-0 Algeria ( Kalou, Gervinho)
Related posts:
- Ivory Coast vs Ghana betting preview- African Cup of Nations
- Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso preview- AFCON 2010
- Malawi v Algeria preview- African Cup of Nations
- Group G – Korea DPR vs Ivory Coast preview
- Group G – Brazil vs Ivory Coast preview
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