Clash of titans as Ivory Coast play Nigeria
Mon, 21 Jan 2008 - 11:24

Drogba and Kanu clash again

African Cup favorites Ivory Coast clash with heavy-weight rivals Nigeria on Monday in Group B as Mali play Benin in an apparently easy task. Morocco also kick-off their CAN campaign against Namibia.

Didier Drogba and co. ousted Nigeria from the semis in 2006 and their game in the group stage this year is billed as a revenge mission for the Super Eagles.

But midfielder Richard Eromoigbe believes that Nigeria has nothing to prove.

We know what we are capable of - the pressure is on the Ivory Coast to win," Eromoigbe was quoted as saying by BBC Sport a few hours ahead of the game.

Ivory Coast

Team News: Gerard Gili enjoys an injury-free squad, led by Chelsea's forward Drogba and Arsenal duo Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue.

Strength: The team is tough both mentally and physically. They gained huge experience from their 2006 campaign when their adventure stopped in the final.

Aruna Dindane teams up well with Drogba up front while Didier Zokora and Yaya Toure are dominant in the heart of the midfield.

Weakness: Goalkeepers have been a problem for the Elephants. Boubacar Barry isn't really the goalie they can depend on but he is the best choice available.

Probable line-up: Barry, Eboue, K. Toure, Meite, Boka, Zokora, Y. Toure, Fae, Kalou, Drogba, Dindane.


Nigeria

Team News: Likewise, all the selected players are ready and fired up for their opening game.

Strength: Coach Bertie Vogts is known of his watertight defense which applies on Monday's game. Captain Nwanko Kanu and striking partner Obafemi Martins are expected to deliver.

	Henri Michel

Weakness: Lack of experience. Eight of the Eagles are playing the African Cup for the first time in their careers.

Probable line-up: Enyeama, Afolabi, Shittu, Taiwo, Yobo, Etuhu, Obi Mikel, Odemwingie, Utaka, Kanu, Martins

Robot  Villager

# 1 var sbtitle2192=encodeURIComponent(Clash of ti...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 21.01.2008 08:34

tonsoyo  Villager

# 2 For those of us in the USA, you know how difficult it is to watch any African sporting event, well I just found a way we can watch these matches for FREE yes for FREE, on your computer. Just go to JumpTV.com, register for free and go on soun. If your HDTV is compartible you can also connect your PC to your TV and watch for free. You will see several African TV Stations on this website for free. We have Silverbird, Galaxy, Channel LTV etc. All Nigerian TV Stations are showing the match, underwritten by Nigeria Braodcasting Organization so it does not matter which TV station you are connected to. As I am wrting this, I am connected to Silverbird TV on my PLASMA for FREE. Happy viewing guys. Nigeria 2 Ivory Coast 1. Posted by tonsoyo| 21.01.2008 09:52

akuluouno  Villager

# 3 Dear Tons, Thanks for the info. However I forsee a draw.:D Posted by akuluouno| 21.01.2008 10:02

tonsoyo  Villager

# 4 =akuluouno;4294982115>Dear Tons, Thanks for the info. However I forsee a draw.:D What is your scores prediction? Abi na 2-2 goaless draw you forsee? :D Posted by tonsoyo| 21.01.2008 10:05

Kelechi  Villager

# 5 Ton wetin happen? The site no be free o! Them say subscription per match na $29 or something like that. Abe I connect to wrong ste? Posted by Kelechi| 21.01.2008 11:23

Ebe2  Villager

# 6 We're playing negatively. And we're too slow on the attack. Possesion: CIV 56; NIG 44 Posted by Ebe2| 21.01.2008 12:34

Ebe2  Villager

# 7 Yellowcard to Oba for diving in the box Posted by Ebe2| 21.01.2008 12:35

Ebe2  Villager

# 8 34 mins played; nothing to cheer about Nigeria's play. Same old predictable long balls Posted by Ebe2| 21.01.2008 12:37

Ebe2  Villager

# 9 Decent cross from Taiwo but Kanu is too slow and clumsy Posted by Ebe2| 21.01.2008 12:38

InDiaspora  Villager

# 10 Tons, thanks for the link. However it seems you'd need to subscribe to Silverbird abi? Am I doing something wrong? Posted by InDiaspora| 21.01.2008 12:39

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