Ivory Coast coach Vahid Halilhodzic is backing his charges to prove their World Cup credentials at the 2010 AFCON despite being drawn in the 'Group of Death'.
The Elephants have been pitted against Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso, the latter of which they faced during qualifying. However, with the likes of Spain's Xavi insisting that Didier Drogba and company will be the ones to watch at the World Cup, Halilhodzic is confident his men can live up to the hype - starting with continental dominance.
"It's a difficult group, but we are arriving as favourites," he said.
"We know very well Burkina Faso, they were in our qualifying group. I think Ghana is a very strong country but we are coming to the Nations Cup with lots and lots of ambition."
Meanwhile, the chairman of Ghana's Football Association was more cautious of talking up the Black Stars' chances in Group B.
"Ivory Coast and Ghana are two of the best teams in Africa," he said.
"The group is interesting because Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo are all our neighbours.
"Togo has Adebayor, one of the best players in the world, and Burkina Faso's Moumouni Dagano is the top scorer of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
The biennial tournament will kick off on January 10 in Angola and will serve to prove which African powerhouse can spring a surprise in South Africa next year.
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