Do Not Underestimate Rwanda - Ivory Coast's Gervinho

Ivory Coast and Lille striker Gervais Yao Kouassi a.k.a Gervinho has called on his team mates not to underestimate Rwanda’s Amavubi Stars in Saturday's 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier clash.

Gervinho told cafonline.com that although they are favourites, the Saturday encounter will not be a walk in the park.

"There is no small team or easy match in football. The Rwandans will be coming out strong and determined to get a good result."

"They have nothing to lose and pressure will be on us because we are the favourites. It is one more reason why we can't underestimate the Rwandans," he noted.

When asked whether he knows anything about the Amavubi team, Gervinho said, "I don't know much about the Rwandan team. I recall we played against them during our preparations for the Orange CAN 2010 in Angola last January."

"During that match, they showed a lot of competitiveness and they are aggressive as well. We have to expect a similar Rwanda team for the September 4 clash," said Gervinho.

"No specific player posed any threat in their team but this doesn't mean I look down on the Rwandan team. Compared to our team, Rwanda has no big names in their squad.

Gervinho added that it is important to exercise some level of caution.

"With the players we have coupled with our experience, we are better placed to win but qualification is gotten on the field and not otherwise.

"Even though we have the luck of being in a group which is relatively to our advantage, we don't have to see ourselves in the 2012 CAN even before obtaining the qualification on the pitch.

"We will not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed with a misplaced feeling of superiority. Once again, it is on the field that we have to show that we are stronger than our rivals.

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