Here are comments from coaches after the draw for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations:
Sabri Lamouchi (Ivory Coast coach): “For me, things continue to be difficult. Group D is undoubtedly the most difficult. But I feel capable of overcoming this other difficulty that presents itself to me. This draw reinforces my idea that we must work calmly and with concentration. All the teams feared sharing the same pool as Ivory Coast. But we must recognize that we do not have an easy group.”
Sami Trabelsi (Tunisia Coach): “I think it’s a fairly balanced group. It contains some of the best nations in the competition: Algeria, Togo, and Ivory Coast. These are teams that are used to competing in the African Cup. They have good players. But we will prepare well. Anyone who wants to get to the end must first focus on their own team.”
Vahid Halilhodzic (Algeria Coach): “Personally, I think that the first match of the CAN against Tunisia will be the most difficult and decisive for the rest of the competition. Everything is possible to have a good African Cup of Nations with the current group. It’s true that we have young players lacking international competitions, but qualification for the second round is playable and we hope to have a good tournament.”
