Eriksson's men determined to finish Group G with a win.

Ivory Coast v North Korea
FIFA World Cup 2010
Group G
3pm, Friday 25 June
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Pele once claimed an African team would win the World Cup and before this summer's tournament, Ivory Coast were seen as an outside bet to meet his expectation.

Unfortunately, it seems unlikely. Ghana are the only African participants in the knockout stages after once again Ivory Coast suffered in the 'Group of Death'. In 2006 they were drawn alongside Argentina and Holland and four years later, it's Brazil and Portugal.

The Elephants are all but out of the tournament having struggled to contend with their illustrious Group G opponents, but in their final match against North Korea, they should bow out on a high.

Ivory Coast have looked strong but with Didier Drogba clearly not fit following his rapid recovery from a broken arm, they have lacked firepower up front.

Injury-hit Drogba will need to perform miracles against North Korea - a 10-0 win will suffice if Portugal lose to Brazil 1-0 - but Souleymane Bamba is still keeping faith.

"Didier is our captain and a massive influence on the side and it was a big disappointment with his injury," he said.

"We can still make the last 16. After all, I didn't think England were going to draw their first two matches so anything is possible."

North Korea are playing in their first World Cup for 44 years and if Ivory Coast want some encouragement in their bid to rack up a big score, they will do well to watch the Portugal match, as the Koreans were thumped 7-0.

But coach Kim Jong Hun claims his side can bounce back and they'll do all they can to claim their first World Cup win of 2010.

"Though we will not be able to reach our objectives, we have one game left and we will reinforce our mental abilities and prepare well," he said.

"In the final match against Ivory Coast we will have to think over our strategy and tactics that will give us the best result there."