Abu Dhabi: From a football expert on television to the coach of top-ranked African team Ivory Coast, Sabri Lamouchi is set for a baptism of fire this World Cup.
The Ivorian media has come down hard on the Frenchman’s appointment as coach, but Lamouchi will be desperate to succeed in Brazil after suffering World Cup heartbreak 16 years, ago when he was included in the preliminary France squad ahead of their successful 1998 campaign on home soil, only to be omitted from the final list later. The Ivorians are making their third straight appearance in the tournament and there is plenty of star appeal, comprising both youth and experience.
Their success will very much depend on how the long-time Elephants star Didier Drogba will lead the way up front, although even he can no longer be assured of a berth in the starting line-up as the team could also look to Wilfried Bony, Seydou Doumbia or Lacina Traore to lead the attack.
The role of Yaya Toure will also be key. Toure is hailed as one of the finest midfielders in the world following his role in Manchester City’s English Premier League title success this season, when he scored an impressive 20 goals in 35 league appearances. The 31-year-old can be very effective in a holding role and dominant going forward as well.
Toure has been critical of how African players are perceived among world football’s elite, so he is keen to show just how good the continent’s best players can be in Brazil. “I am very proud to be African. I want to defend African people and show the world that African players can be as good as the Europeans and the South Americans,” he said.
Lamouchi can also call on the likes of Arthur Boka, Didier Zokora and Salomon Kalou, who have ample World Cup experience. The team will play two warm-up matches in the US as part of their ‘Road to Brazil’ series. Those games will give them a clear picture of where they stand before the biggest sporting showpiece gets under way.
Ivory Coast
Group C
Fifa Ranking: 21
TOP MAN
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Yaya Toure |
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COACH
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Sabri Lamouchi |
BEST 11 (4-5-1)
Barry; Aurier, K. Toure, Bamba, Boka; Gervinho, Zokora, Tiote, Y. Toure, Kalou; Drogba
Squad
Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Sylvain Gbohouo (Sewe Sport), Mande Sayouba (Stabaek).
Defenders: Serge Aurier (Toulouse), Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro (Toulouse), Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor), Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Souleman Bamba (Trabzonspor), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart), Constant Djakpa (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ousmane Viera (Caykur Rizespor).
Midfielders: Cheick Tiote (Newcastle), Serey Die (Basel), Ismael Diomande (Saint-Etienne), Didier Ya Konan (Hannover), Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Max Gradel (Saint-Etienne).
Forwards: Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Wilfried Bony (Swansea), Gervinho (Roma), Salomon Kalou (Lille), Giovanni Sio (Basel), Mathis Bolly (Fortuna Dusseldorf).
GROUP OPPONENTS
QUALIFYING CAMPAIGN
Topped CAF qualifying Group C ahead of Morocco, Tanzania and Gambia before beating Senegal 4-2 on aggregate in the knockout play-off round.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
First Tournament: 2006 (Germany)
Appearances (before 2014): 2
Best Finish: Group stage (2006, 10)
PROS
- Long-time Elephants star Didier Drogba will lead the way up front.
- Yaya Toure will be the midfield lynchpin, fresh from his club Manchester City’s English Premier League title win.
- Liverpool defender Kolo Toure, Yaya’s older brother, along with two other impressive EPL performers — Newcastle’s midfield terrier Cheick Tiote and Swansea striker Wilfried Bony add more stability to the team.
CONS
- Consistent failures in the African Nations Cup have earned the team a reputation of “chokers”. Twice in the last five tournaments they have lost the African showpiece final on penalties.
- Doubts over the fitness of Drogba are hampering the team’s preparations
- Coach Lamouchi has gambled on injured Everton striker Lacina Traore, who is an incredible talent but has played just one minute of Premier League football since signing for the Toffees on loan from Monaco in January.
