Our fate in our hands, says Ivory Coast coach

CABINDA, Angola, (Reuters) – Ivory Coast, held 0-0 by  Burkina Faso on Monday, face the prospect of early elimination  from the African Nations Cup with one of the tournament  favourites having only one game left in Group B against Ghana.

With Togo out of the competition following a deadly gun  attack on their team bus, three teams are battling it out for  the two quarter-final spots from the group and defeat against  Ghana on Friday could send the Elephants packing.

The Ivorians dominated on Monday but failed to convert any  of their chances and now need a win against Ghana.

“We are disappointed but it’s not over yet,” coach Vahid  Halilhodzic told reporters. “We lacked a bit of luck.

“Togo being out causes us problems. It will be a difficult  match against Ghana but we have our fate in our hands.”

Attacking talisman Didier Drogba said: “It is a complicated  task but it is complicated for everyone.”

Ivory Coast, who won their only Nations Cup in 1992, will  have to be more efficient against Ghana.

On Monday Bakary Kone was a handful for the Burkina defence  but failed to convert three clear chances and missed an open  goal deep into the second half.

Chelsea striker Drogba made a lively start, having been  denied a penalty in the third minute, before fading away.

“Sometimes it just does not work,” said Halilhodzic who  added he was satisfied with his team’s overall performance.

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure was hopeful the Ivorians  could turn the situation around.
“I am confident. We are going to work hard to be ready  against one of the best teams in Africa,” he said.

“We need to show character. We have the spirit, the team.”