World Cup Team Profile: Ivory Coast

Tom Oldfield

Long regarded as one of the most exciting African nations, the Ivory Coast are just waiting for their coming out party on the big stage. They made their World Cup debut in Germany in 2006, showing flashes of their unquestionable talent in an unforgiving group alongside Argentina and Holland, but failed to reach the second round.

And qualification will be no easier this summer. The Ivory Coast find themselves in Group G with Brazil, Portugal and North Korea and could be out of the tournament by the time they face the North Koreans in the final group game.

But, having booked their place in South Africa without breaking sweat or losing a game in qualifying, do not rule them out.

The Coach

Sven-Goran Eriksson (SWE)
62 years old

Despite the ease with which the Ivory Coast punched their ticket for this summer under the guidance of coach Vahid Halilhodzic, elimination in the 2010 African Cup of Nations quarter-finals against Algeria contributed to the Bosnian’s controversial dismissal in February.

With fresh question marks emerging over the togetherness of the Elephants’ squad and the quality of their defence, new boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has plenty to ponder. He will need all his considerable experience to steer the Ivory Coast into calmer waters.

Yet the Swede remains positive, telling the media: “I know it is called the group of death but that just means the challenge is bigger. It will not be easy, but I think the Ivory Coast with all their talents can get through it. That’s the first target and we will have to work very hard for it.”

Players to watch

Didier Drogba
32 years old
Striker
Chelsea (ENG)

Fresh from winning the Premier League and FA Cup double with Chelsea, Drogba arrives in South Africa in high spirits. He will be expected to lead the Ivory Coast attack and offer a mobile target for relieving pressure, especially against Brazil and Portugal. Drogba is undoubtedly the key man for the Ivory Coast, who cannot spring a surprise unless their talisman is in red hot form.

Yaya Toure
26 years old
Midfielder
Barcelona (SPA)

Though his playing time has dropped at the Camp Nou, the younger Toure brother remains an important cog at international level. His ability to break up play will be critical against good passing teams in the group stage and the Ivory Coast should benefit from the midfielder’s desire to prove a point to Barcelona this summer. Watch for Yaya and fellow anchorman Didier Zokora to form a physical, gritty shield for the back four.

Kolo Toure
29 years old
Defender
Manchester City (ENG)

As his up and down performances this season showed, Toure is far from flawless in central defence against quality opponents. However, he is the best the Ivory Coast have and will carry the bulk of the defensive burden. A respected member of a dressing room that is rumoured to be somewhat divided, his leadership skills will be as significant as his work protecting goalkeeper Boubacar Barry..

Siaka Tiene
28 years old
Defender/Midfielder
Valenciennes (FRA)

Capable of playing on the left side of defence or midfield, Tiene has developed into an unsung hero for The Elephants. And his dead ball prowess, if he can wrestle the ball away from Drogba, is an added bonus for Eriksson. Having missed out on the Ivory Coast squad for the 2006 World Cup, Tiene will be determined to make up for lost time this summer.

The view from Ivory Coast:

The frenzied optimism among Ivorians during the qualifying campaign has diminished somewhat since the African Cup of Nations disappointment, the managerial change and the tough group stage draw. The support will be as passionate as ever but, though the diehard fans fancy the Ivory Coast to edge out Portugal, reaching the second round would be classed as a surprise by a portion of their fans.;

Prediction

The Ivory Coast have the athleticism to trouble any team and, in Drogba, they have a legitimate goal threat and one of the world’s most dangerous strikers. However, a suspect defence could well prove their downfall. It is hard to look past Brazil and Portugal as qualifiers from Group C so the Elephants are likely to finish third.

At the 2006 World Cup, the Ivory Coast were the only nation to field a squad made up entirely of players plying their trade outside their home country.

15/06/10: Ivory Coast  0 – 0  Portugal     –   Nelson Mandela Bay
20/06/10: Ivory Coast  1 – 3  Brazil     –   Soccer City, Johannesburg
25/06/10: Ivory Coast  3 – 0  North Korea     –   Nelspruit