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With one of the strongest squads in the tournament the Ivory Coast are considered to be one of the hot favourites to take out right glory in the 2008 African Cup of Nations. With a squad packed full of players plying their trade around Europe, including several well known names from the Premiership, hopes are high around the country that the side known as the Black Elephants can add to their sole title won in 1992. The national side has been on an upward trend for several seasons which included their first ever participation in the World Cup in 2006. Their appearance in Germany, when despite leaving at the end of the first group stage, followed up a runners-up spot in the African Cup of Nations in 2006 when they were beaten by hosts Egypt. The majority of the squad from 2006 remains in tact although injury concerns over Didier Drogba continue to cast a doubt over the team. The Chelsea striker is the undoubted star of the team although they have an abundance of striking talent in the squad. The Ivory Coast had a relatively simple task of qualifying for the tournament after coasting through a group that contained only Gabon and Madagascar after the fourth side Djibouti withdrew. In a truncated group Ivory Coast cruised through thanks to two 5-0 wins over Gabon and Madagascar at home and a 0-0 draw away from home. The side are currently coached by German Uli Stielike a former West German international who achieved 42 caps in an illustrious playing career first in his homeland with Borussia Moenchengladbach before an 8 year spell with Real Madrid. As a manager Stielike has a lot of experience with various levels of the German national set-up including a stint as Assistant to Erich Ribbeck between 1998 and 2000. Stielike also has experience as coach of the Swiss national side and also at club level with UD Almeria in Spain and Waldhof Mannheim in Germany. The German has certainly inherited one of the best sides in Africa and the pressure will certainly be on to go one step better than two years ago after finishing in second place. One area of concern for the team could be the lack of experience in goal with three relative novices selected in the form of Boubacar Barry from Belgian side Beveren ans Stephan Loboue from Furth, a 2nd Division side in Germany. The final call up is Tiasse Kone, a domestically based keeper, the only one to be included in the entire squad, which goes to underline the number of Ivorians now plying their trade in Europe. Of the trio only Barry was involved in Germany 18 months ago and is the only one with a full international cap to his name, with 7. The previous first choice Jean Jacques Tizie, currently with Zamalek has been overlooked, his erratic keeping possibly costing him a place. In defence they will be marshalled by Arsenal centre-back Kolo Toure, a superb defender, who is also excellent on the ball. Arsenal’s longest serving player currently will have an important role to play at the back. Playing alongside Toure will be Bolton, Meite another excellent defender, who can also fill in at right back. The Premiership pair form a formidable barrier to any opposition strikers. The right back slot should be filled by another Arsenal player; Emmanuel Eboue whilst on the left Stuttgart Arthur Boka will be first choice. Both love to get forward from their full back positions but can leave their centre-backs exposed as a result of their adventuress nature. To minding the shop in the midfield engine room the Ivory Coast can call up Didier Zokora from Spurs and Reading’s Emerse Fae. Both excellent passers of the ball they will also look to get forward at any opportunity. Reading have by no means seen the best of Fae but the former Nantes player is a good prospect, and a strong showing in Ghana could really launch his stuttering career back with Reading. Another outstanding midfield possibility is Yaya Toure, the current Barcelona midfielder. The brother of Kolo, Yaya started his career at ASEC Abidjan, as so many promising Ivorian starlets do, before making the move into Europe via Greek football. Starting his career at Olympiacos he soon caught the eye and moved to French football with Monaco before being snapped up last summer for Barcelona. Described by Kolo as ‘a better footballer than himself’ Yaya has plenty to offer his country. Playing in between the midfield and forward line is Bakari Kone, the Nice forward. The diminutive forward has been in fine fettle this season for his club side helping them to a respectable 7th place, with 8 goals in 16 appearances from a position behind the main strikers. Despite being one of the smallest players in the French league Kone, has forged a reputation for being strong on the ball. His low centre of gravity makes him elusive and if the management wish to play with a diamond formation with Zokora screening the defence, Kone will be the ideal player to use in the hole at the top. Up front the Ivory Coast are almost spoilt for riches possessing the strongest front line in Africa and arguably one of the best in the world. Drogba is the undoubted star but his prolonged lay-off through injury may result in only fleeting appearances for his country, certainly in the early stages. His Chelsea colleague Salomon Kalou may well start in his stead, Kalou is by nature a centre forward although he has been seldom seen in this position for Chelsea being posted often to the right side of the attack. The former Feyenoord player made his reputation as a striker in Holland and could be the ideal replacement as he is also quick and good in the air. Other options include Boubacar Sanogo, who has been in fine fettle this season for his club side Werder Bremen after a summer switch from HSV Hamburg. He has 10 goals in 17 appearances and with his pace and ability in the air could be another excellent possibility. The relative riches of the Ivory Coast striking department are further highlighted by the availability of Aruna Dindane a Lens striker, with 5 goals in 15 Ligue 1 appearances and with 13 last season. Although Arouna Kone, the Sevilla striker, hasn’t seen much action this season in Spain since he moved from PSV but is another striker with a real eye for goal. The Ivory Coast have been drawn into pool B and Nigeria look to be their most serious opponents for the top spot although Mali shouldn’t be ruled out as a possible threat. There is every chance that this season they could go all the way and repeat their feat of 1992 when they claimed the trophy. Main man: Kolo Toure – the Arsenal centre-back will have a lot of responsibility in terms of marshalling his defence as well as protecting an experienced goalkeeper, the one possible weak link in the team. Prediction: Winners Posted by Walter Townsend on Monday, 7th January 2008 (Average rating 0 from 0 votes. Vote) (0 Comments) |