DR Congo national team head coach Sebastien Desabre says his side are not fazed by their opponents Guinea’s excess confidence heading into tonight’s 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final encounter at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan.
Facing the press ahead of the match on Thursday, Syli Nationale of Guinea coach Kaba Diawara expressed his side would send the Leopards back home on Friday night.
However when asked his thoughts about the Diawara’s sentiments, Desabre said the Leopards preferred to be humble and focus on their strengths ahead of the tie.
“I don’t think over confidence will come from our side. We are rather humble. We focused on the strengths and weaknesses of the moment. Guinea, something has been happening in this team for some time and they validate it in this competition and I think they have the merit of validating it” Desabre said.
Desabre added that the Leopards were up to the task and ready capitalize on their chances in order to come out victorious and progress into the semi-finals.
“But we know that we have the capacity, if we play a good match, we win as we know that Guinea also has its chances. This exe is what makes the beauty of tomorrow’s match,” he said.
The Frenchman revealed that he had fair knowledge of the Syli Nationale team whom he described as tactically disciplined side on the field.
“I know this team well. We must praise Kaba’s work and the tactical discipline on the pitch. It is one of the teams that has a very high level of game organization” he said.
The Leopards have so far not won a match at the AFCON after drawing all three matches in the group stage before seeing off Egypt 8-7 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Round of 16 stage.
Guinea beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 to set-up a quarter-final clash against the Leopards in Abidjan.
