Cote d'Ivoire coach Herve Renard has urged caution for his side heading into Wednesday's African Nations Cup semi-final against DR Congo in Bata, suggesting over-confidence from his players could cost them the title.
The Ivorians have been instilled as bookmakers' favourites for the title, but must first overcome a dangerous Congolese side and then either Ghana and Equatorial Guinea, who contest the second semifinal a day later in Malabo.
But having beaten Cameroon and Algeria in their last two games, there has been talk that it is almost a done deal for the west African side, something Renard is quick to dismiss..
"After our last two wins over Cameroon and Algeria, now we are the favourites of the bookmakers but that can be dangerous. It is also not important. What is important is what happens on the field," Renard told reporters.
"When we started this race I said we all start on the same line. Now we are only four left. But the best position, the only position is number one. We won't be satisfied with anything else."
Renard knows first hand the Ivorians' tendency not to capitalise on dominant situations. He led Zambia to the 2012 Nations Cup final with a shock win over The Elephants in the decider, one of many recent disappointments for the side in recent competitions.
But the Frenchman says his team are using those past failures to motivate the current group of players.
"The players with a lot of experience have many bad experiences. But we seek to use the bad as a means to motivate and get success," the coach said.
Congolese coach Florent Ibenge has also been trying to temper his players' enthusiasm following their thrilling 3-2 victory over Congo-Brazzaville on Saturday when the side came back from two goals down midway through the second half.
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"I've been talking about it all the time in training," Ibenge said. "We have to really get our concentration back and focus on what is going to be a really tough encounter. Our last game was one of great emotion but I've been working hard to get all the euphoria behind us."
Ibenge says the physical toll of the tournament could also be a factor come game day.
"We expect a game full of a lot of tactics, very physical and with the need for strong mental concentration. It is difficult for the players in what will be their fifth game after two weeks of this tournament and also a couple of weeks of preparations before the tournament.
"It will be complicated for us but we hope it will as difficult for them."
DR Congo can point to some recent success over the Ivorians, they got a 4-3 win in Abidjan in the qualifiers for these Nations Cup finals.
"But no two games are the same and we must forget that one. The Ivorian team has changed a lot since then, they have stiffened up the midfield and since Kolo Toure came back they've been a lot tougher to break down in defence."
