Match analysis
The Elephants did not impress the public against Togo but moments of brilliance from Gervinho and Yaya Toure made the difference.
Skipper Didier Drogba did not play the full match. The ageing striker will surely be targeted by Tunisia's defenders. Ivory Coast supporters will be hoping Drogba steps up to the challenge and opens his AFCON 2013 account with a goal.
The Tunisians do not possess mega stars. They would easily loose a contest against the Ivoirians on paper. However, the football on the pitch will decided matters on Saturday afternoon.
Tunisia's 1-0 victory over Algeria showcased several positive things: the winners' strong defence, quick passing play, physicality and desire to fight until the end. Youssef Msakni's 91st minute curling long-range strike was a cracker and could vie for the 'best goal of the 2013 AFCON'.
It is this kind of bullet that the North Africans will look to fire on Ivory Coast's Elephants at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Group D table as of January 25, 2013
| AFRICA CUP: GROUP D 2014 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Côte d'Ivoire | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 2 | |
Tunisia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Togo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 | |
| 4 |  |
Algeria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
Ivory Coast's latest stats (previous match against Togo)
Ball possession: 54; Corners: 5; Shots on target: 7; Shots wide: 11; Fouls: 16; Offisdes: 1.
Tunisia's latest stats (previous match against Algeria)
Ball possession: 52; Corners: 1; Shots on target: 3; Shots wide: 4; Fouls: 19; Offisdes: 3.
Ivory Coast vs Tunisia - Match officials
Referee: Rajindraparsad Seechurn (Mauritius)
Assistants: Djibril Camara (Senegal); El Hadji Malick Samba (Senegal)
Fourth officials: Daniel Bennett (South Africa)
Prediction
Ivory Coast 2-2 Tunisia
