CAN 2012: Cote d'Ivoire sends early warning to opponents

Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) - With just four days to go before the kickoff of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d'Ivoire is sending a strong warning to other teams that it intends to end its 10-year drought and win the coveted title again.

In two friendly matches within four days, the Elephants trampled on the opposition, crushing fellow Nations Cup-bound team Tunisia 2-0 and dispatching another Nations Cup finalist, Libya, 1-0.

Both matches were played in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, with the latest held on Monday.

It is instructive that two of Cote d'Ivoire's myriad of star players, Chelsea teammates Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, were instrumental to the two victories.

Both shared the glory in the earlier 2-0 win over Tunisia, while Kalou scored the lone goal against Libya.

In the absence of giants Egypt (the most successful team in the Nations Cup history), Cameroon and Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire is considered a strong favourite, alongside Ghana and Senegal, in the 21 Jan to 12 Feb. Nations Cup finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The team, which won its only Nations Cup title in 1992, is expected to finish top of its group B ahead of Sudan, Burkina Faso and Angola, and then go ahead to confront but strut its stuff against tougher opposition, as the tournament progresses.
-0- PANA ADAP/SEG 17Jan2012