Didier Drogba Sends Morale Boosting Message to Cote d'Ivoire Players Ahead of Senegal Clash

• Didier Drogba confident Cote d'Ivoire can beat Senegal
• The African champions are yet to drop a point at AFCON
• Cote d'Ivoire qualified as one of the third-best teams

Former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba believes Cote d'Ivoire can surprise African champions Senegal in their round of 16 clash at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The AFCON host were handed a lifeline at the competition after Morocco defeated Zambia to help them sneak into the knockout stage as one of the best third-place finishers.

It took the Elephants a long painstaking wait to determine their future at the tournament, having been battered in their final group game against Equatorial Guinea.

Drogba, who was in Ebimpe to witness his country go through their worst defeat at AFCON, has huge admiration for the Teranga Lions but believes Cote d'Ivoire can beat Senegal.

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“The Senegalese are arriving with a lot of certainty. Especially since they are title holders,” Drogba said, as quoted by Wiw Sport.

“Their first matches allowed them to show the continent that they are the reigning champions. So, they arrive with a lot of confidence. They are lucky to have the starting eleven or even more players who are almost starters in their respective clubs. It helps with confidence. And having a somewhat serene coach like Aliou Cissé also contributes to the results,” he added.

Despite admitting Senegal are the better side going into their round of 16 clash, having won all three group games, Drogba insists his country can do it.

"We can do it," he said as he tried to inspire the players of the national team.

Cote d'Ivoire will be led by Emerse Fae following the sacking of coach Jean-Louis Gasset, as reported by the BBC.

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Drogba watches as Cote d'Ivoire suffer huge defeat

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Chelsea legend Didier Drogba watched as Cote d'Ivoire got battered by Equatorial Guinea in their Group A game at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The former Cote d'Ivoire captain was in the stands as the host nation suffered one of their worst-ever defeats at the tournament, leaving their slim chance of progressing bleak.

A second-half masterclass from the Nzalang Nacional saw them add three goals to the first-half strike from Emiliano Nsue to leave the Alassane Outarra Stadium 4-0 winners.