Ivorian coach Souahilo Haidara has admitted that their last Group B match against Uganda is a do or die game if they are to stay at the ongoing TotalEnergies CHAN 2022 in Algeria.
The game will be played at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, a new venue for both teams who played their first two games in Annaba before shifting to Algiers.
Haidara said: “We only have one point. We are in a bad position in this group. We don’t have luck. We are in a very tough group and now, any team can progress but everyone can exit too.”
The Ivorian tactician however noted that his team has been rising in momentum from when the tournament started to this point as they head into their last Group B game.
“Now is not the time to express our regret but we did not approach the game against Senegal well. In hindsight, I think my boys respected the Senegalese too much.
“Against the Democratic Republic of Congo, we showed only a tiny part of our potential. I feel that the boys are more focused, more involved and now there is certainly more desire to win within the team – a rage that covers a desire to do well. They are saying to themselves that Côte d’Ivoire – this great footballing nation, must show even more.”
The Ivorians are still aware that the task during the match will not be easy.
“Our trip from Annaba to Algiers went well. I have this impression that we gained a few degrees (laughs). We rested well during the trip. We now know how to manage this kind of thing which constitutes the life of competition,” explained midfielder Salifou Diarrasouba.
There is a new city and a new stadium where their match will be played in but Diarrasouba says the desire remains the same.
“Uganda are tough opponents with very athletic players. They are very well organized and like us, they will want to win this game. As a football lover, I cannot wait to see this matchup. It is going to be an open game.”
“I’m not going to tell you again how much this competition means to us, you know that. What I can tell you is that we are in a situation where we have to demonstrate what we are worth. There are no calculations to be made. We are aiming for victory, nothing but victory,” concluded Diarrasouba.
Côte d’Ivoire face Uganda on Sunday at 1900 GMT.
