By Micheal Madyira
Africa Cup of Nations defending champions Senegal could plunge hosts Ivory Coast into further turmoil when the two sides clash in a Last-16 match at Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro on Monday.
It is already a difficult tournament for the Ivorians, who lost two of their group games, including an embarrassing 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea.
Confidence in the Elephants has been low as they had to sneak into the Round of 16 as one of the third-best placed teams.
They now face Senegal, who are so far the best-performing team at this Afcon tournament.
The Teranga Lions are the only team to win all their group games in what was a statement of intent to reclaim the continental title.
Since Egypt defended their Afcon title for the second time in 2010, teams have struggled to retain this crown and Senegal coach Aliou Cisse does not want to see it as a curse.
“I pray to God that the Afcon champions curse keeps us away,” Cisse told the media.
“It’s a pretty strong word to say ‘curse.’ I have said it before and I’ll say it again: it’s only football.
“But I don’t think we have ever believed in this curse. We have believed in our hard work and our certainties.
“You have to realise that in football you have to concentrate on the essentials and the essentials are in training.
“The most important thing is what is going to happen over 90 minutes, for 95 minutes.”
While Cisse appears bold in his view of the upcoming match, Ivory Coast will be under interim coach Emerse Faé following the sacking of Jean-Louis Gasset in the middle of the tournament.
Such a scenario paints the hosts as a team in crisis, now facing Senegal who are in terrific form, which should make them worried.
But they might draw inspiration from Nigeria, who arrived at Afcon while enduring stern criticism but have picked themselves up to become one of the title favourites.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde clashed with Mauritania in another Last-16 tie at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday.
Cape Verde enjoyed some good form in the group stage and came up against the Mauritanians, who finished third in Group D.
Pictured above: Senegal players celebrating
Image source: CAF
