SEKONDI - Ivory Coast can all but secure their place in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup if they beat minnows Benin in Sekondi on Friday.
After impressively seeing of Nigeria in their opening game on Monday, the Elephants know that another three points in Group B will almost certainly put them into the knockout stage of the tournament.
Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou was the hero in the first match, dribbling his way through the Super Eagles' defence to hit home a second-half winner.
His club team-mate and international captain Didier Drogba, who was largely anonymous on his return to competitive football for the first time in almost two months, has warned his colleagues not to discount the Squirrels.
He said: "We respect every team in this group. It is the media who talk only of Nigeria and Ivory Coast in this group. We are fully aware we are not allowed to fail."
Drogba knows that the opening win was vital to kick-start their competition.
He said: "It is an important victory because we won against our main rival for top spot in the group. Nigeria were the most dangerous team and I think the most important thing has been done."
Stand-in coach Gerard Gili added: "Our tournament has started in the best possible way but now we have to be as professional as we've been when we prepare the other games."
Benin have had an interrupted build-up to the game following a row between coach Reinhard Fabisch and midfielder Mouri Ogunbiyi, who the German said had "lacked respect towards his team mates and the fans" by breaking squad rules.
Intervention by the Benin Football Federation has since seen Ogunbiyi rejoin the squad as both parties were forced to put any rifts aside ahead of the clash.
Seidath Tchomogo is the only injury concern for Fabisch, while the Ivorians have a full-strength squad for the game.
