DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre has told his players only hard work will help them achieve their Africa Cup of Nations dream as they set their sights on a place in the semi-finals.
Desabre’s side face Guinea at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Friday having progressed to the last eight without winning a single game in 90 minutes.
However, he is confident their industry and motivation can prolong their stay in Ivory Coast, with either the hosts or Mali awaiting the victors.
Desabre told a press conference: “The team is highly motivated. We know we can achieve more in this tournament, which for me is not the AFCON of surprises, but of hard work.
“The boys are on a mission and we will not give up under any circumstances.”
The Leopards emerged from Group F as runners-up having drawn all three of their games – against Zambia, Morocco and Tanzania – and needed keeper Lionel Mpasi to hold his nerve to convert the decisive spot-kick to seal an 8-7 penalty shoot-out victory over Egypt in the last 16.
Guinea have made it to the quarter-finals despite finishing only third in Group C behind Senegal and Cameroon, who have both since gone out of the competition.
Mohamed Bayo’s header in the eighth minute of stoppage time secured a 1-0 victory over 10-man Equatorial Guinea to book their place in the last eight and boost their hopes of a first semi-final berth since 2015.
Coach Kaba Diawara said: “We are ready for the battle, both mentally and physically. We entered this AFCON conditioned to play seven finals.
“If it comes to penalties, we will go for it.”
The sides have met in the tournament three times in the past, all at the group stage, and DR Congo are yet to taste victory, losing 2-1 in the last encounter in 2004.
The National Elephants could be boosted by the return of Werder Bremen’s former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita and on-loan Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy from injury.
Simeone insists Atletico 'cannot stop pushing' after narrow Mallorca win
Diego Simeone insists Atletico Madrid "cannot stop pushing" in their pursuit of Champions League qualification after a narrow 1-0 victory over Mallorca.
Los Rojiblancos tightened their grip on fourth place in LaLiga, with Rodrigo Riquelme's fine individual effort in the fifth minute enough to secure back-to-back wins.
With four games remaining, Simeone's side moved onto 67 points, six clear of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, who they beat 3-1 last weekend.
The Atleti boss was thrilled by his players' performance levels, but has urged them not to rest on their laurels.
"The team interpreted the plan very well," he said. "The commitment was incredible from [Angel] Correa to [Jan] Oblak to play an intelligent game from a defensive point of view.
"After the goal, we controlled the game. We defended as a team and did a great job. We need to continue improving, and we can't stop pushing until the season is over."
Echoing his manager's thoughts, defender Axel Witsel told Movistar Plus+: "It was very important to win. We wanted to win and stay six points ahead. We have to keep it up.
"After Riquelme scored a fantastic goal, we managed to stay well-organised to secure the result."
'It hurts to lose' - Inzaghi apologises after Sassuolo defeat
Simone Inzaghi admits "it hurts to lose" following Inter's surprise 1-0 defeat by relegation-threatened Sassuolo.
The newly crowned Scudetto winners suffered only their second loss of the season in Serie A, as Armand Lauriente's first-half goal was enough to give the 19th-place hosts victory at Mapei Stadium.
Sassuolo, who boosted their survival hopes, subsequently completed the league double over the Nerazzurri, having also prevailed 2-1 at San Siro in September.
Meanwhile, Inter were beaten by a team in the bottom two for the first time since November 2014, with Inzaghi urging his players not to be distracted by their title triumph.
"We started sluggish and didn’t have the right approach to the game," he told Sky Sports Italia. "I'm sorry for the defeat, but credit must be given to Sassuolo for a performance of great effort and sacrifice.
"It's right to enjoy [our Scudetto victory], but there are still three games to go and we have to focus. It hurts to lose, and it should hurt."
After guiding Inter to their 20th Serie A crown, Inzaghi is hopeful he can keep the majority of his squad intact ahead of next season.
However, the Nerazzurri boss did emphasise the club's need to strengthen before launching their Scudetto defence.
"I already told the club that I want to go into next season with all the players I had this term, not losing a single one," he said. "Considering all the games we need to play and the length of the season, we do need a bigger squad."
Inter Miami 6-2 New York Red Bulls: Messi makes more MLS history as Suarez scores hat-trick
Lionel Messi had a hand in all six goals while Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick as Inter Miami overcame the New York Red Bulls 6-2 at Chase Stadium.
The Eastern Conference leaders were on a three-match winning streak in MLS, but fell behind to Dante Vanzeir's opener in the 30th minute.
However, the hosts turned the match on its head after the break, with Messi assisting a brace for half-time substitute Matias Rojas either side of getting on the scoresheet himself.
Suarez then took centre stage with a hat-trick inside 13 minutes - all assisted by his former Barcelona team-mate - while Emil Forsberg's stoppage-time penalty was a mere consolation for the visitors, who are now without a win in four.
Data debrief
Messi broke two more MLS records following yet another inspirational display for the Herons.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's six goal contributions and five assists were both the most recorded by a player in a single game.
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