Ivory Coast hoping to feed off late rally

RUSTENBURG, South Africa (AP) -Ivory Coast players say their late rally to draw with Algeria in group play will boost the team's confidence heading into a difficult quarterfinal match against Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations.

The tournament favorites didn't play well against already eliminated Algeria in its last group match on Wednesday but found a way to escape with a 2-2 draw after two late goals.

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba scored his first goal of the tournament to start the rally for the Elephants, seeking their first title in more than 20 years.

Drogba says the team showed against Algeria that it has the "mental strength'' needed to keep progressing at the tournament.

Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi says he is happy to see the players react well to adversity.