Nigerian-Born Abdul Razak: I Am ready To Give My Life For Ivory Coast

Lille forward  Salomon Kalou was silent throughout the group matches at the African Nations Cup. Now, he is looking forward to scoring his first goal against the Super Eagles in Sunday's mouth watering clash in  Rustenberg.

''I know I have not scored yet. This is not the right thing for an attacker. But I'm not worried. I know I'll score.

''Every game, I create opportunities. Goals will then come. Maybe I expected to score in decisive matches. The quarterfinals, this is the start of another competition. So I'd like to be decisive in these moments. Better to be decisive at the right time,''Kalou, who won the European Cup with Chelsea back in 2012, told Sport Ivoire.

Born to a Nigerian father, Manchester City's Abdul Razak instead opted to play for the Elephants. The 20- year - old defensive midfielder has admitted that Sunday's clash is an important game in his young career.

He told the Ivorian website: ''Absolutely. But I must tell you that it is a pride to defend the colors of Côte d'Ivoire, as it is in this country that I was born and I grew up. I'm a guy from Adjamé. My country is the Ivory Coast. I am ready to give my life for her. I always dreamed of playing with the Elephants. Today, I enjoy every appointment with the national team.''

''I promise the Ivorian people the cup. We came to South Africa to win the trophy. And we will do everything to land in Abidjan with the trophy next week, Inshallah!'' Abdul Razak added.

Meanwhile, ahead of the clash between Nigeria and Ivory Coast, Alain Lobognon, the Ivorian Minister of Sports, had lunch with supporters of the Elephants to galvanize them more in cheering the team to victory.

Photo Credit: bifc.co.uk