This is one of the most exciting fixture in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations as Ivory Coast battle Algeria for a last four(4) finish. Will Ivory Coast continue their 2015 humiliation or will Algeria continue their 100% record in this year's Afcon winning all four games and not conceding any goal so far. Both teams are potential winners but at this stage one team must be eliminated while the other progress to the Semi-finals. So it now depends on how compose or how discipline a team will be.
Journey So Far:
Ivory Coast booked their place in this round with a 1-0 victory over Mali on Monday with goal coming in from Crystal palace's winger Wilfried Zaha. They finished second in the group after being beated 1-0 by group leaders Morocco in matchday 2. They defeated South Africa and Namibia 1-0 and 1-4 respectively in the other group fixtures.
However, defensive issues remain their big concern and this is exactly when those are likely to be found out.
Algeria the other side are enjoying 100% success in the competition after four(4) matches. They defeated Kenya 2-0 on the opening fixtures good evening and then went further to defeat Mané's Senegal 1-0 in an exciting game before sealing it up a 3-0 win over Tanzania. Guinea couldn't stop them as they we're being whitewash 3-0 by the Northern Africans at the round of 16.
The Algeria team are really a force to battle with as they journey to the finals.
Head To Head
The West Africa side has only encounter their Northern Counterpart on three occasions with even outcomes. One win forch both Ivory Coast and Algeria and also settling for a draw.
The first time this duo lock horns was at the quarterfinals of the 2010 AFCON in which Algeria came out victorious with a 2:3 win AET after a dramatic second half in which two late goals was being scored at the 89&90 minutes but Hamar Bonazza hit the 3rd for the North Africa side in the first session of the ET.
In 2013 both teams met in Group D of the AFCON competition in which Ivory Coast came from two(2) goals down to draw 2-2 with goals coming in from Didien Drogba and Wilfred Bony for the Elephant.
In 2015 Ivory Coast over powered Algeria in a 3-1 victory at the quarter finals once again with two(2) goals from W. Bony and 1 from Gervino and what seems to be a consolation goal from H.Soudari.
Team News
Ivory Coast
Serge Aurier is still nursing his injury, therefore Mamadou Bagayoko still remain as a perfect replacement as he retain his place at right-back but the KV Mechelen defender must avoid going into the referee's book as it will rule him out of the semi-finals if Ivory Coast proceed to the Semi Finals.
Wilfried Zaha is set to continue in the attack after his lone goal sees Ivory Coast progress to the quarter finals.
Algeria
With no injuries or suspensions to deal with, Algeria manager Djamel Belmadi is likely to stick with the same team that overcame Guinea 3-0 in the last 16.
Adlène Guédioura is a booking away from suspension. So he really have to play with extra care.
Tactics:
Ivory Coast holds onto their 4-3-3 formation well Algeria continue with their 4-1-4-1 winning formation.
Prediction:
Algeria will run away with a 2-0 victory as the Ivory Coast defense still look unbalanced and poor attacking spirit upfront.