Ivory Coast

When you talk about “The Big 5” in Africa one of the animals you are referring to is the elephant, in African football this is no different. The Elephants are one of the 6 nations representing Africa this year in the first World Cup to be held on African soil, in South Africa. How one of the greatest African sides will fair though, is very much debatable.

The Ivory Coast cruised through qualifying, but then what would you expect against teams such as Burkina Faso, Malawi and Guinea, with no disrespect intended, but ultimately given. However, qualification came not without trouble, as 22 supporters died after an excited crowd, crammed into an already packed stadium to watch the Ivory Coast beat Malawi 5-0 in their opening group game. This was an extremely sad way to start the final road to the finals.

More unrest came when Manager Vahid Halihodiz got sacked, after a poor team performance in the African Cup of Nations this January having already qualified for 2010. It was the coaches second loss in 2 years of football, yet his criticism of the players came back to haunt him, with them seemingly forcing the successful manager out without a replacement. In March though, Sven Goran-Eriksson took the mantel, giving the star players the star manager they undoubtedly craved.

In 2006 the Ivory Coast made their first ever appearance in the World Cup but fortune did not favour them. The Elephants got drawn in the “Group of Death” along with the Netherlands, Argentina and Serbia and Montenegro. Two 2-1 losses against Argentina and the Netherlands saw an early exit, however, they did restore some pride in beating Serbia and Montenegro 3-2 to give them their first World Cup points and victory.

In 2010 they appear no luckier. Brazil and Portugal both got drawn in Group G alongside the Ivory Coast, with North Korea the unlucky hitchhikers. This is an especially hard group, which says more about the state of the African side than about the other nations.

The main star is one everybody who knows anything about football, or possibly even not know about football, should know well. Didier Drogba is the Ivorian captain. The Chelsea star is one of the best strikers in the World, with an unbelievable international scoring record, 42 goals in 66 caps. If he plays well, the Ivory Coast plays well. If he plays poorly, the Ivory Coast plays poorly. Therefore, his form is imperative, his diving antics and hot-headedness are less welcome at the finals.

There is a battle to partner Drogba in South Africa, with Salomon Kalou, Aruna Dindane and Bakary Kone each bidding for that spot. Kalou’s increased form at Chelsea may well see Eriksson give him the nod and he will no doubt not disappoint.

The centre of midfield then boasts one of the World’s most destructive pairings as Sevilla’s Didier Zokora and Barcelona’s Yaya Toure dominate that area of the pitch. Yaya Toure is one of the best defensive midfielders in world football, yet his partner in crime is just as capable, meaning that Yaya will on occasions be looked upon to provide support to the frontline, an usual experience for the Ivorian.

Yaya’s brother Kolo plays behind him in the heart of the Ivory Coast defence. His form at Arsenal seemed to dither slightly towards the end of this spell there, yet his time at Manchester City has once again reinvigorated the defensive dynamo. Next to Kolo on the right-hand side of defence is his ex-Arsenal teammate Emmanuel Eboue. Eboue has come in for some stick over recent years at Arsenal, although his form over the last 6 months has been blistering. Utilised by Arsene Wenger in almost any position, expect him to wander the pitch, but to play effective football nonetheless.

The problems start for the Ivory Coast with their lack of preparation time for the new man in charge, Eriksson. Only 3 weeks will be provided and although this team has known each other for a long time, their reliance on Drogba, despite other big international names, is still evident. In positions where no egos are placed, players who are not quite of an international standard fill the gaps.

The left-side of defence is a problematic area, with no stable left-back, and Hibernian’s Souleymane Bamba on the left side of the central pairing. Although the midfield provides superb defensive cover, behind them is a keeper prone to making a variance of performances. Barry may be the firm Ivory Coast number 1, but in his time playing in Belgium, he won awards for his inconsistency in his performance...

So, Africa will hold its collective breathe to see whether the Elephants can do what they failed to achieve in 2006 and escape the “Group of Death”. Unfortunately, despite the extra push they may receive from playing in Africa for the first time, the poachers of Brazil and Portugal may well prove too much for this endangered species.