African Cup favorites Ivory Coast clash with heavy-weight rivals Nigeria on Monday in Group B as Mali play Benin in an apparently easy task. Morocco also kick-off their CAN campaign against Namibia. Didier Drogba and co. ousted Nigeria from the semis in 2006 and their game in the group stage this year is billed as a revenge mission for the Super Eagles. But midfielder Richard Eromoigbe believes that Nigeria has nothing to prove. We know what we are capable of - the pressure is on the Ivory Coast to win," Eromoigbe was quoted as saying by BBC Sport a few hours ahead of the game. Ivory Coast Team News: Gerard Gili enjoys an injury-free squad, led by Chelsea's forward Drogba and Arsenal duo Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue. Strength: The team is tough both mentally and physically. They gained huge experience from their 2006 campaign when their adventure stopped in the final. Aruna Dindane teams up well with Drogba up front while Didier Zokora and Yaya Toure are dominant in the heart of the midfield. Weakness: Goalkeepers have been a problem for the Elephants. Boubacar Barry isn't really the goalie they can depend on but he is the best choice available. Probable line-up: Barry, Eboue, K. Toure, Meite, Boka, Zokora, Y. Toure, Fae, Kalou, Drogba, Dindane. Nigeria Team News: Likewise, all the selected players are ready and fired up for their opening game. Strength: Coach Bertie Vogts is known of his watertight defense which applies on Monday's game. Captain Nwanko Kanu and striking partner Obafemi Martins are expected to deliver. Weakness: Lack of experience. Eight of the Eagles are playing the African Cup for the first time in their careers.
Henri Michel Probable line-up: Enyeama, Afolabi, Shittu, Taiwo, Yobo, Etuhu, Obi Mikel, Odemwingie, Utaka, Kanu, Martins ---------------------- Morocco Team News: Henri Michel has no significant problems within his squad. Strength: The Moroccans are rich upfront, with a host of French-based stars like Marouane Chamakh, Yousseff Hadji, Bouchaib Lembarki and Moncef Zerka. Weakness: The goalkeeping position has often been a problem for the Atlas Lions, veterans Nadir Lamyaghri and Khalid Fouami were preferred by Michel to Tarik Jarmouni despite the latter's good form in CAN 2006. Probable line-up: Lamyaghri, Kaddouri, Basser, Erbati, Alioui, Safri, Sektioui, Kharja, Hadji, Aboucherouane, Chamakh. Namibia "We won't sit back and allow them to slaughter us because we are not going to be anybody's whipping boy." Namibia captain Michael Pienaar. Team News: Namibia suffered a blow as they lost former captain and experienced midfielder Robert Nauseb to injury just before announcing the final list last week. They also miss suspended trio Hartman Toromba, Sidney Plaatjies and Gottlbieb Nakuta against the Atlas Lions. Strength: The Brave Warriors have nothing to lose in Ghana, unlike their opponents, who are under pressure to get the three points. Weakness: Namibia's experience at such a high level is nothing compared to four-time World Cup finalists Morocco. Probable line-up: Abisai, Pienaar, April, Gariseb, Ngarizemo, Jacobs, Brendell, Benjamin, Ngatjizeko- Katupose, Bester.
