Cairo (AFP) – Ivory Coast coach Ibrahima Kamars sees Nicolas Pepe as one the young stars who can banish the memories of a disastrous Africa Cup of Nations title defence two years ago.
The 2015 champions were held by Togo and the Democratic Republic of Congo and lost against Morocco to make an undignified exit from Gabon after the first round.
Kamara hopes Pepe, the 22-goal second highest French Ligue 1 scorer last season behind superstar Kylian Mbappe, can ensure there is no repeat of that debacle in Egypt.
“We are building a team to match the great ones of the past and hope players like Nicolas can take us a long way in Egypt,” said Kamara.
Ivory Coast are in Group D with South Africa, who they face in Cairo Monday, Morocco and Namibia, a section widely regarded as the toughest of the six to qualify from.
Here, AFP Sport previews the three-match Monday schedule, which also includes a Group E double-header in Suez involving Angola, Mali, debutants Mauritania and Tunisia.
Ivory Coast v South Africa
These countries resume a rivalry 21 years after drawing 1-1 in Burkina Faso, and a similar outcome at the Al Salam Stadium would not be surprising as neither side dare lose.
“As much as every team wants to win its first tournament match, it is crucial not to lose because it puts you on the back foot immediately,” says South Africa coach Stuart Baxter.
While Ivory Coast have a potential matchwinner in Pepe from Ligue 1 runners-up Lille, South Africa hope Percy Tau can rise to the occasion after a season in the Belgian second division.
The slightly-built attacker was signed by Premier League outfit Brighton last season, lent to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, and his brace against Libya ensured qualification for Egypt.
South Africa had a puzzling build-up with Baxter rejecting a chance to play in a regional championship, then complaining that he had only one warm-up match, a draw against Ghana.
Angola v Tunisia
This is another match that brings together teams for only the second time in the Cup of Nations, with a goalless draw 11 years ago in Ghana ensuring both of quarter-finals places.
It will be a record-extending 14th straight appearance at the tournament by the Tunisians, who failed to go beyond the group stage only four times.
“Our first target is the quarter-finals and after that we shall see,” says cautious Tunisia coach and 19080s France star Alain Giresse.
from World Soccer Talk http://bit.ly/2Y3BrVz
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