Cote d’Ivoire vice-captain Max Alain Gradel has admitted that his side fear nobody and are not under pressure to play Nigeria on Thursday.
The 36-year old winger believes anyone could beat anyone in the 2023 AFCON tournament.
Gradel, who has 105 caps and was part of the Elephants’s squad that won the trophy in Equatorial Guinea in 2015 noted that they would do everything to make their nation proud.
“We are Cote d’Ivoire. We respect all our opponents. But we fear nobody. We will do what we have to do.
“It is a special moment for us to play the Africa Cup of Nations in our home, with the support of our people. We will do everything to make the people proud. We have super players in the squad, especially for what they bring to the group. It is a decisive match; it is an important match. We know what we have to do.”
AFCON 2023 hosts are set to face Nigeria at Stade Alassane Quattara on Thursday in a crucial group A game.
The Ivorians are top of the group A summit with 3 points after beating Guinea Bissau 2-0 whilst Nigeria shared the spoil with Equatorial Guinea.
