AFCON: We are not afraid of Egypt, says Cote d’Ivoire goalkeeper

Ivory Coast national team goalkeeper, Badra Sangare, says his team can outplay any opponent, as long as they impose their style of play.

The Pharaohs qualified to the round of 16 after finishing second in their group with six points, three behind group leaders Nigeria.

They will now face Group E leaders Ivory Coast, who finished top of their group with seven points from three games.

The game is scheduled to be held next Wednesday, 26 January at the Douala Stadium in Japoma at 6 PM Cairo local time.

The Elephants will go into the game full of confidence, especially after eliminating defending champions Algeria from the group stages.

While Sangare admitted that facing Egypt won’t be an easy task, he’s confident that his team can win if they are fully focused.

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“The Egypt match will be difficult. We are trying to prepare strongly, and we have some days until the match. Egypt is a great footballing country, and has great players. We respect them and are ready to face them,” Sangare told Mehwar TV.

“A player I fear? I don’t worry about any player or any team. I only think of my team because if we play well, we can beat any player and any team,” he added.

Sangare led the headlines at the start of the tournament after a horrendous mistake against Sierra Leone in the 93rd minute, which cost his team two points. While many blamed the poor pitch, the 35-year-old took full responsibility, saying it’s 100% his mistake.

To add insult to injury, Sangare was informed after the Sierra Leone match that his mother had passed away.