Equatorial Guinea to attack Ivorians with ‘intensity’

With Equatorial Guinea on the verge of qualifying for the Round of 16 in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Nzalang Nacional will take on hosts Ivory Coast in their final Group A fixture on Monday, 19 January, with the game set to commence at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé.

Kick-off is at 19h00 (CAT)

CURRENT FORM

Equatorial Guinea recorded a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in their opening 2023 Africa Cup of Nations fixture, before bouncing back with 4-2 win against Guinea-Bissau thereafter. Ivory Coast on the other hand, bagged a 2-0 win against Guinea-Bissau in their opener, which was followed up with a 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in their match.

TEAM NEWS

Pablo Ganet is a doubt for the crucial tie against Ivory Coast, after the Equatorial Guinea midfielder pickedup an injury during their win against Guinea-Bissau. Ivory Coast striker Sebastien Haller has been sidelined with an ankle injury and remains a doubt for the game against Equatorial Guinea.

What was said

"We know it's a big competition and we have to do better than what we are doing now," Equatorial Guinea coach Juan Micha said.

"We have one foot in the next round but will approach Ivory Coast with the same desire and intensity to win," said Micha.

"It was a very physical match; Nigeria chose to play very low with a five-man defense to exploit counterattacks with their star striker. It was a tightly contested match," Ivory Coast mentor Jean-Louis Gasset mentioned.

"We knew that we had a young team in terms of experience but not in terms of quality. I have confidence in this group; I know that it is young, I know that it is tender; it simply requires psychological work.

"We are going to prepare for a win [Against Ivory Coast]. I am hoping that our two injured players will be