• The duo of Zinho Gano and Jorginho scored 55 per cent of Guinea-Bissau’s goals in the qualifiers (three goals each out of 11 team goals).
• Kessie is optimistic Cote d’Ivoire can become the first host nation to win Afcon since Egypt in 2006.
Image: Cafonlie
@EricNjiiru
Cote d’Ivoire manager Jean Louis Gasset expects a counter-attacking game from Guinea Bissau in the Africa Cup of Nations opening match in Abidjan on Saturday.
Gasset addressed the press on Friday afternoon ahead of the Afcon opener as Ivorians remain expectant the Elephant will deliver a third title and a first since 2015.
“This game is just like any other,” said Gasset. “There’s no longer small teams. Tomorrow (Saturday) we’ll try to start strongly. With all due respect, our opponent Guinea Bissau has very fast and counter-attacking players so we have to be very fit...if there is a counter-attack, we can manage it very well”.
He’s well aware of the threat posed by Guinea-Bissau in what will be the first encounter between the two teams in the Cup of Nations.
“I know this is a team that has beaten Nigeria in qualifying rounds. Some of their players are very talented, especially Mama Balde. He was very good and that’s why he’s playing for Lyon in France. They also have technical players like Carlos Mane — a small revelation of this Afcon — barely 19 years old. Maybe he’s not only talented but very talented and skilled.”
The duo of Zinho Gano and Jorginho scored 55 per cent of Guinea-Bissau’s goals in the qualifiers (three goals each out of 11 team goals)
“It’s a team that’s keen on launching counter-attacks against their opponents but we are prepared,” said Gasset.
“How they play at the back, we can liken them to Man City in Europe — who are playing four on paper at the back and three during the game. I’m trying all the tactics in training to enable us to adapt to what we find on the pitch.”
The manager also confirmed Sebastien Haller will not be part of the Cote d’Ivoire squad to face Guinea Bissau but hopes he can be fit to face Nigeria in their second Group A match.
“I hope he plays against Nigeria. As for tomorrow, he’s out. On paper, we can say Nigeria has huge talented strikers but the two remaining teams have special qualities and we need to be playing the best football we can to win. We are in a very tough group,” said Gasset, adding that former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe’s recovery is on course, having had several training sessions.
“He’s not ready for 90 minutes but somehow I know he’s ready for a part of the game. Let’s wait and see.”
Saudi Pro League-based Franck Kessie, who has faced criticism from Ivorians in the recent past due to the team’s performance, called on the fans to turn up in large numbers for Saturday night’s match(kick-off 11 pm EAT).
“It is true I received some criticism, especially when the results are not good. As one of the senior players in the squad, I’m taking this criticism and putting these games behind me. We are now united ahead of this Afcon,” Kessie said.
“I’m alright. I changed the leagues from La Liga to Saudi in which I am playing. We have to write another story. Players like (Senegal’s) Eduard Mendy and (Algeria’s Riyadh) Mahrez have been talking to me but this is the national team. May the best team win.
Kessie is optimistic Cote d’Ivoire can become the first host nation to win Afcon since Egypt in 2006.
“The team is strong and united. We are united by the manager’s preparation and we are all going in the same direction. We are living in good conditions and our objective is to fly the national flag the highest. This is a mission we’ll take seriously”
“I want to tell the Ivorian fans that we are all fighting for the Ivorian flag. They have to come out and support us. It will be good for us so that we do what we know how to do and give them pleasure,” he concluded.
Côte d’Ivoire are hosting the event for the first time since 1984, when the Elephants crashed in the knockout stage of a tournament won by Cameroon.