Ivory Coast Coach, Patrice Beaumelle say he is not surprised by the performance of Leone Stars to hold defending Champions Algeria to a goalless draw in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

Reacting to a question after Cote d’Ivoire’s 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea, Coach Beaumelle said: “The Algeria-Sierra Leone match was a good match and I’m not surprised by Sierra Leone’s performance because they’re a good side.”

“I’ve seen them playing as we played against them twice before in Abidjan.”

“The journalists like to give predictions, they predicted before the match but I know Sierra Leone is a good team.”

When the Elephants met Leone Stars twice in their Nations Cup qualifiers in Abidjan in 2014, the former Zambia coach was assistant to Cote d’Ivoire African Cup of Nations-winning coach Herve Renard.

The Elephants will met again on Sunday against the Leone Stars in Douala.

Cote d’Ivoire lead Group E with three points, while reigning African champions Algeria and Sierra Leone occupy the second and third spot respectively.

Victory for John Keister’s men against Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday would propel them a good chance to the Round of 16 with a match to spare.