Ivory Coast Aim to Break 32-Year Jinx in AFCON Round-of-16 Clash Against Egypt

• Ivory Coast enjoyed an unbeaten run in the group stages, picking up two wins and one draw as they head into their Round-of-16 clash against Egypt on Wednesday
• The two-time AFCON champions have failed to beat Egypt in 32 years with their last victory coming in the 1990 edition held in Algiers.
• Egypt are looking to extend their record at the AFCON with the Pharaohs bidding to win eighth title after an unconvincing group stage display

Ivory Coast are targeting to break a 32-year-old jinx when they take to the pitch against the Pharaohs of Egypt in Wednesday’s AFCON Round-of-16 encounter which has been scheduled for the Douala Stadium in Cameroon.

The two-time Africa champions have not recorded a win against the North Africans since they last won 3-1 in a group stage game in the 1990 edition in Algiers, Algeria.

Complete Sports reports Côte d’Ivoire head coach Patrice Beaumelle speaking ahead of today’s Round-of-16 game said his side will go into the fixture as an underdog.

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“We are happy to have finished first in our group. Now that is behind us. We want to continue our way in the competition.

“This outsider status suits us very well. It is the journalists who put the status on the teams. We know where we want to go. Two years ago, it was to qualify for AFCON today we are together. I was waiting for this moment to spend time together.”

Egypt have had a better record against the Elephants in recent times having excelled in their quarter-finals duel inf the 1998 AFCON.

The Pharaohs won Côte d’Ivoire on penalties and defeated them again in the group stage and final of the 2006 tournament on home soil.

The final meeting involving both nations was in the quarter-finals of the Ghana 2008 AFCON where Egypt thrashed Côte d’Ivoire 4-1 and went on to be crowned champions.

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Earlier Sportsbrief reported Liverpool and Egypt winger Mohammed Salah says the AFCON trophy will be the one closest to his heart if his nation manages to clinch it.

Salah was speaking at a press conference ahead of the Pharaoh's crunch round of 16 clash against Ivory Coast, slated for Wednesday, January 26.

Egypt are considered one of the favourites in the tournament, and their chances of winning it have been raised by the exits of some giants including Ghana, Nigeria and Algeria.