Ivory Coast coach Sven Goran Eriksson admits he's had a lot more fun taking charge of the Africans than England.

Asked after yesterday's drab 0-0 draw with Portugal in Port Elizabeth what the difference is between managing England and working with an African team, he revealed that he is simply enjoying himself more.

"It's more or less the same because there are top international footballers, big stars, with both," said Eriksson. "The only difference is that they smile all day, on a bus, training, the restaurant. They are extremely happy. I can't believe that they had problems in the past. They are more lively than any European team I know.

"They do feel the pressure because I don't think the fans were very happy after the African Cup. They have so many big names that the expectation is on.

"It's just their nature and their mentality, but it is great fun for me every day. They seem to have more fun than a European team."