Victory for either side would propel them to the helm and one step to the knockout stage.

Africa’s lone victorious team during the first day of play at the on going 2014 FIFA World Cup, will make her second appearance today. The Elephants of Ivory Coast, who were highly applauded on their arrival in Brasilia, are expected to clash against the Coffee Growers of Columbia today, at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha.

With three points each after defeating Japan (2-1) and Greece (3 – 0), on day one, the two teams will be playing with a lot of determination. A victory for either side (Ivory Coast or Columbia}, will not only hand her the group C leadership baton, but also widen the team’s chances of moving to the knock-out stage of the competition.

With no major injury reported by the Ivorian medical staff, Coach Sabri Lamouchi might go in for the same 4-3-3 formation. This implies veteran striker Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure would start from the bench. On the other hand, Columbian coach Jose Pekerman is having sleepless night with his attack line. After losing Radamel Falcao at the eve of the tournament, the Columbian trainer will have to make do without the services of Servilla striker Carlos Bacca injured during training. However, the return of Inter Milan midfielder Fredy Guarin, from suspension might help him move from his traditional 3-5-1 formation to 4-4-1 that helped him defeat Ivory Coast while coaching Argentina in 2006.

Though both teams have never met at the final phase of the World Cup, the Columbian national team is favourite on paper. Placed 8th on the FIFA ranking as against 21st for Ivory Coast, the Columbians have paraded the corridors of the final phase of the competition three times more than the Ivorians. While Ivory Coast best performance has never been beyond the group stage, the Coffee Growers of Columbia in 1990 tasted the juiciness of the round of 16. Despite the superb form of Carlos Valderama and Rene Huguita, they were humbled out of the tournament by the Indomitable Lions.

The match to begin at 17 p.m local time will be handled by a trio of English referees headed by Howard Web who is making his debut in the tournament four years after refereeing the 2010 World cup finals. Players to watch for both sides are, Yaya Toure and Gervinho for the Elephants and Jackson Martinez, James Rodriguez for the Coffee Growers.