Vahid Halilhodzic has warned his Ivory Coast players not to take
Algeria lightly ahead of their quarter-final showdown at the
African Nations Cup on Sunday.
The two sides, who have both qualified for this summer's
World Cup, meet in Cabinda and there will be plenty on the line for
the Elephants, especially as their 'golden generation' tries to
reclaim the ANC crown for the first time in 18 years.
And their Bosnian coach has called on his team to stay
focussed.
"Algeria is a team that deserves respect because, I remind
you, they eliminated Egypt in qualifying for the World Cup," he
said. "It will be very difficult and very tight.
"They are so well organised and consolidated, with great
density in the middle.
"We are glad to be here. There was enormous pressure on the
team, and we managed to get through to the quarter-final. But now
we must go forward."
The tournament favourites, who have a history of choking in
recent competition, are expected to have Chelsea striker Didier
Drogba fit to lead the team despite recurring pain in his back and
Achilles tendon, but Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue is suspended.
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure is also worried that the
team will not kick on after a first round which included a draw
with Burkina Faso and a win over Ghana.
He said: "It serves no purpose to qualify in the way we did
and then leave the next round. We are focused.
"We know it is a very crucial time. We've had a break for
over a week and we must take advantage of that, but we must stay
focused."
Algeria boss Rabah Saadane is also looking to build on what
his side achieved in the first round.
After slumping to a 3-0 loss to minnows Malawi in their
opening game, the Desert Foxes bounced back nicely with a win over
Mali and a draw with hosts Angola handing them a place in the last
eight.
Saadane said: "I had a lot of criticism after losing the
opening game, but we are here now and have qualified to the
quarter-final.
"We will now try to improve in the remaining matches."
