Preview: Drogba, Yaya Toure, Gervinho a game away from Brazil 2014
Côte d’Ivoire should have killed this tie in the first leg. Out of the number of chances that fell to them, the Elephants managed to convert three while they failed to keep a clean sheet. They largely dominated the game. However, they were also quite wasteful with AS Roma’s Gervinho squandering a one-on-one opportunity and unmarked Yaya Toure skying a shot from inside the penalty area.
Will the Senegalese make the Ivoirians pay for that? In the previous encounter, the Lions of Teranga capitalized on their opponents' complacent display during the final 20 minutes. Their pressing finally paid off with Papiss Cisse scoring in the 94th minute. It is on this away goal that Senegal are putting their hopes, ahead of the second leg on Saturday.
“We have to believe. We will go there with the idea of making up the two-goal deficit against the Elephants,” coach Alain Giresse told reporters.
It would take a massive physical and mental performance from the Lions to trample the Elephants as the world expects to see Chelsea icon Didier Drogba and company in Brazil next year.
The Ivoirians have been to the World Cup twice - in 2006 and 2010. On both occasions, they failed to get past the group stages. Senegal, meanwhile, made the most of their only appearance so far as they reached the quarter-finals. That was in 2002.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Senegal vs Côte d’Ivoire live on Saturday, November 16, 2013:
In Canada at 14:00 ET on: beIN Sport Play Canada
In UK at 19:00 BST on: BT Sport 2
In USA at 14:00 ET on: SiriusXM FC, beIN Sport USA, beIN Sport en Español, beIN Sport Play
The match will be live on SuperSport 3 Africa in Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire. For live scores and more TV listings, visit the Senegal-Ivory Coast match page.
