Algeria manager Djamel Belmadi believes Ivory Coast are one of the contenders to claim the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations.
Both sides face off in the third quarter-final of the biennial showpiece at the New Suez Stadium on Thursday evening.
In the Round of 16, the North Africans defeated Guinea 3-0, while the Elephants claimed a slender 1-0 success over Mali.
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Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Belmadi accepted they face a herculean task against the two-time winners of the biennial showpiece.
“Ivory Coast are one of the tournament favourites and they have a lot of players playing in huge leagues,” Belmadi said at his pre-match press conference.