Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa are hoping for a good start to their campaign when they lock horns at El Salam stadium on Monday (24 June 2019) at 16:30 local time (14:30 GMT) in Group D matchday 1 of Total Africa Cup of Nations 2019.
Ivorian coach Ibrahim Kamara depends on experienced players like Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, Tottenham defender Serge Aurier and AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.
The Elephants won the title twice, in 1992 and 2015. They crashed from the group stage in Gabon 2017.
On the other hand, South Africa aims to repeat their lone achievement when they were crowned champions at home in their first ever appearance. Bafana Bafana missed the last edition in 2017.
South Africa coach Stuart Baxter relies on a squad composed mainly of local players with some foreign-based ones like Sparta Rotterdam striker Lars Wildewilk.
Ibrahim Kamara (Coach, Cote d'Ivoire)
We have assembled a good team for the tournament. Matches will say whether we could achieve our ambitions or not. We need to have a positive start. The first game is always important especially in a tough group like this one. We had some injury concerns but our medical staff did their homework. This generation might lack the needed experience but they believe in themselves and have the needed passion and motivation to achieve some good results.
Serge Aurier (Captain, Cote d’Ivoire)
I feel proud to don the Elephants shirt and play for my country. We feel no pressure and dream to make our people happy. We are glad to be here and work together to bring the sweet memories of 2015 back when we were champions. This will need too much efforts.
Stuart Baxter (Coach, South Africa)
There are no small or big teams in football. Usually some surprises occur and this AFCON won’t be an exception. We feel no worries of the group’s teams. If we could do what’s needed from us we will appear in a better shape than previous editions. The atmosphere is positive and our players want to make their country proud.
Thulani Hlatshwayo (Captain, South Africa)
There are many good players in our team and they have a great potential. We hope they can help us to achieve positive results. We will face tough opponents in the group and we need to focus on the duties our coach give us, either in attacking or defending situations.
Source: cafonline.com