Ivory Coast play Benin for a place in the quarter-finals of the African Cup on Friday as Nigeria face Mali in a bid to rescue their campaign in Group B. The Elephants are favorites to top the group after seeing out their biggest rivals Nigeria 1-0 in the first game and are tipped to easily down Benin. Nigeria are yet to open their account and face a tough mission against an ambitious Mali side, who edged 1-0 past Benin in the opener thanks to a Freddie Kanoute penalty. Ivory Coast v Benin Ivory Coast "We respect every team in this group. It's the media who talk only of Nigeria and Ivory Coast in this group. We are fully aware we are not allowed to fail." Captain Didier Drogba. Team News: The Ivorians have a fully fit squad led by Drogba, Kalou and the Toure brothers. Strength: The team enjoys a winning mentality and has experienced players, who can turn the game into their favor anytime. Weakness: Nothing serious. Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry was expected to give poor displays but he stood firm against Nigeria. Probable Line-up: Barry, Eboue, K. Toure, Meite, Boka, Y. Toure, Kalou, Fae, Zokora, Drogba, Dindane. Benin Team News: Midfielder Mouri Ogunbiyi is back into the team after he fell out with Coach Reinhard Fabisch before the first game. Strength: Striker Razak Omotoyossi is the main threat for the Benin side but he will have to use all his tricks against a resilient Ivory Coast defense. Weakness: The squad is too young to face Ivory Coast, especially with too little international experience. -------------- Nigeria v Mali Nigeria
Kanoute and Co. face Nigeria test "My players have a good team spirit and I know they'll give everything they have to go through," said Berti Vogts. Team News: Vogts promised changes to the team that lost to Ivory Coast, Obinna Nwaneri, Dickson Etuhu and Victor Nsofor are among the names poised for a start. There is uncertainty whether skipper Nwankwo Kanu will be able to make the starting eleven or not, after the Portsmouth striker limped off in the second half of the Ivory Coast defeat. Steaua Bucharest defender Ifeanyi Emeghara is ruled out for the rest of the competition with a knee injury. Strength: The pairing of Premiership duo Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins upfront is an adequate threat to any team. They are also very dangerous in set pieces, having Taye Taiwo and his vicious left foot, which could be quite alerting to the Malians. Weakness: The Nigeria half-line has an over-attacking mentality, with natural forwards Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka playing in midfield. In the 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast, the Elephants were obviously in control of possession in the middle, which made it difficult for Vogts' men. However, there was news that Vogts will apply a midfield reshuffle against Mali. Probable Line-up: Ejide, Nwaneri, Shittu, Taiwo, Yobo, Mikel, Etuhu, Nsofor, Kanu, Martins, Yakubu. Mali "Playing against Nigeria is going to be a tough test, they are a dangerous team. "They are wounded after the loss to the Elephants, but I want to assure you that the match will be tight between two teams who want to win.'' coach Jean-Francois Jodar. Team News: Liverpool's Mohamed Sissoko was rested in the win over the Squirrels, and Jodar is likely to stick with the same selection. Strength: A very strong midfield including Spain-based duo Seydou Keita and Mohamadou Diarra could make the Malians a tough opponent to two-time champions Nigeria. Weakness: Mali seemed to have lacked consistency in performance throughout the whole game against Benin, and also against Egypt in their last p
