World Cup preview: Ivory Coast
The Road To The World Cup
Les Elephants enjoyed a straightforward trip through the group stage with two draws being their only blemish. Their play-in game was a different story, however, as they drew Senegal. They took care of business at home, winning 3-1, and held on for a 1-1 draw on the away leg to qualify 4-2 on aggregate.
Schedule
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-06-14 | Ivory Coast vs. Japan | 9:00 PM ET |
| 2014-06-19 | Colombia vs. Ivory Coast | 12:00 PM ET |
| 2014-06-24 | Greece vs. Ivory Coast | 4:00 PM ET |
Formation: 3-4-3 / 4-4-2
Sabri Lamouchi prefers the 3-4-3, with Didier Zokora and Yaya Toure powering play through the middle of the park, though the team has employed a more traditional 4-4-2 in recent games. Lamouchi also has a potent attacking force led by Didier Drogba and Gervinho. This may finally be the year Les Elephants put it all together on the world’s biggest stage.
Manager: Sabri Lamouchi
Lamouchi is a former professional footballer who made 12 appearances for the French national team. He became the manager of Les Elephants in May 2012. The most important thing he’s done since taking over the gig is convincing Drogba to give it one last go. “Of course he’s someone on whom I count," he said. "He knows that. I would be mad not to take advantage of the player and the man he is. I knew the player, but the man is a gentleman and great professional.” Lamouchi knows where his bread is buttered.
Projected starting XI
GK: Boubacar Barry
DF: Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro
DF: Sol Bamba
DF: Kolo Toure
DF: Serge Aurier
MF: Didier Zokora
MF: Yaya Toure
MF: Cheik Tiote
MF: Max Gradel
FW: Gervinho
FW: Didier Drogba
Projected substitutes
GK: Sylvain Gbohouo
GK: Sayouba Mande
DF: Ousmane Diarrassouba
DF: Arthur Boka
DF: Constant Djakpa
MF: Ismael Diomande
MF: Didier Ya Konan
MF: Die Serey
FW: Wilfried Bony
FW: Giovanni Sio
FW: Mathis Bolly
FW: Salomon Kalou
The Captain: Didier Drogba
Last year, Drogba’s position on the national team looked to be in danger when Lamouchi dropped the former Chelsea star at the African Cup of Nations. He’s back in the fold now, and will have one final shot at righting some wrongs in Brazil. The Galatasaray striker was captain of Les Elephants for the last seven years, and is the Ivory Coast’s leading light in more ways than one. Drogba’s efforts to help the nation heal after a civil war ravaged the country were important, and the 35-year-old made a point not to sulk after being dropped from the starting line-up. He’s no longer the hulking force that can score goals on a whim, but Drogba is still pretty darn good.
The Star: Yaya Toure
Toure is Africa’s best player and has shown it at the highest of levels for the past few years now. He controls the midfield with an eye towards goal at all times, but his defensive responsibilities don’t suffer as a result. Alongside Xabi Alonso and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toure is one of the most complete midfielders in the world. While he’s shined for Manchester City, Toure’s best performances have yet to come on the international stage. He’s at the peak of his powers at the moment, which means we should be in for a show in Brazil.
The Young Gun: Wilfried Bony
The 24-year-old made the move to Wales for the start of the 2013/14 campaign and didn't look out of place through his first season with Swansea. The former Vitesse striker recorded 16 goals in 34 appearances for the Swans, and would be a starter on most international sides. However, a cadre of goalscorers in front of him means he’ll have to wait for his shot.
The Swan Song: Kolo Toure
The elder Toure enjoyed bit of a resurgence with Liverpool this year, and will featured in the starting line-up for Lamouchi in Brazil if he can recover from a pre-tournament bout with a malaria. At 33, this will be his last hurrah for Les Elephants.
Three Questions:
- Can Drogba turn back the clock and help the Ivory Coast advance past the group stage for the first time ever?
- Will Lamouchi choose the right strike force with a bevy of options at his disposal?
- Can Yaya Toure display the same form that’s made him a Premier League star on the biggest of stages?
Trivial Matters:
Nicknames: Les Elephants
Most caps: Didier Zokora (119)
Top scorer: Didier Drogba (64)
First international: April 13, 1960. Ivory Coast 3-2 Dahomey
World Cup appearances: 2
Best World Cup result: Round one (2006, 2010)
Your moment of football
****
