Spartak Moscow forward, Emmanuel Emenike Tuesday night dismissed the threat of the Elephants of Cote d' Ivoire in next Sunday's quarter final clash with Nigeria.

Emenike insisted that the Eagles were not afraid of playing the star-studded Ivorien.

"At club level, I have played Barcelona before without been scared. Why should it be Ivory Coast that will give me and my colleagues sleepless nights?" queried the power-playing forward.

He insisted that the present crop of players in the senior national team were experienced players who can hold their own against any team in the continent.

"You may think that most of the players are young and do not have the experience to play the Elephants of Ivory Coast, you are wrong. I respect the quality of players they are parading at this competition but were are certainly not afraid," Emenike who was unable to find the back of the net Tuesday night boasted.