Key match-ups in Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final between Ivory Coast and Nigeria Sunday: Gervinho (CIV) v Joseph Yobo (NGR) Arsenal striker Gervinho has had an inspired start to the competition, looking sharp, pacey and dangerous whenever he gets the ball. He scored the winner against Togo and the first in the 3-0 rout of Tunisia. Captain Yobo, the experienced defender at his sixth Nations Cup, is set to play after recovering from an ankle injury and Nigeria need him to blunt the Ivorian frontline. Yaya Toure (CIV) v Victor Moses (NGR)

Factfile for 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finalists Ivory Coast: Group results: Togo 2-1, Tunisia 3-0, Algeria 2-2 Scorers: Gervinho, Yaya Toure (2 each), Didier Drogba, Wilfried Bony Coach: Sabri Lamouchi (FRA) Captain: Didier Drogba Key player: Yaya Toure is the midfield driving force Rankings: CAF 1, FIFA 14 Nickname: Elephants

Striker Peter Odemwingie has dismissed criticism from his club West Bromwich Albion over his bizarre attempt to force through a transfer to Queens Park Rangers on Thursday. Amid surreal scenes on transfer deadline day, the Nigerian was shown on television waiting outside QPR's Loftus Road stadium in his car, apparently in the mistaken belief that West Brom had agreed to sell him. QPR refused to let him enter their ground and West Brom subsequently issued a statement criticising his conduct, with chairman Jeremy Peace accusing Odemwingie of acting "wholly unprofessionally".

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has urged the tens of millions of fans back home to forget their sniping and cynicism and get behind his players ahead of Sunday's clash with Ivory Coast. Keshi, visibly frustrated at the lack of support emanating from Lagos for his Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finalists, said: "It's a great shame that a nation doesn't have confidence in its sons, the players. "It's pitiful, if my players hear that what sort of morale boost does that give them?