Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations last-16 tie between Egypt and the Ivory Coast brings together two of the continent’s heavyweight teams who have plenty of history as well as two of the most exciting attacking players in the world just now, IgbereTV reports.
Mohamed Salah leads an Egypt side looking to add to their record haul of seven AFCON titles, while the Ivorians — with Sebastien Haller leading the line — are chasing a third crown.
Not everyone in Cameroon will have the appetite for the competition to continue after the tragic events of Monday in Yaounde, but there will be a big, expectant crowd at the Japoma Stadium in economic capital Douala, where the majority of supporters will likely be backing the Elephants.
“We always seem to face big teams with great experience in the competition,” said Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle, whose side beat Algeria 3-1 in their last outing to eliminate the reigning champions.
“They are a very experienced team whose players almost all play in Egypt and so I suppose they are used to African conditions.
“They always turn up in big games, even if they are not playing brilliantly.”
Beaumelle, who has twice won the Cup of Nations as an assistant coach, said he was preparing for a “tight, tactical battle but an exciting game.”
