World Cup Profile: Ivory Coast

With their African Footballer of the Year and captain a doubt just days before the tournament begins, who knows what to expect from Sven’s Elephants? It’s another blow for a golden generation of eternally unlucky Ivorian stars.

By Emmet Purcell

Could there be a more unlucky side than The Elephants? With Egypt continually winning the African Nations but fluffing up their World Cup chances, Ivory Coast have often been talked up as the agreatest side Africa has ever produced. With household names such as Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Emmanuel Eboue and the Toure brothers, their golden generation of stars were outsider tips for even lifting the trophy on their home continent. That was until the official World Cup draw. After competing and falling to Argentina and Holland in 2006’s “Group of Death”, the Ivorians walked into right into another with Portugal and Brazil.

It got even worse in last week’s warm-up friendly against Japan when captain Didier Drogba suffered what appeared to be a broken forearm. Despite the Ivorian FA’s optimism, it is still unknown what kind of role the world-class striker might play. Without him the side will have to hope their attack can counterbalance their noticeable flaws, mostly in defence.

Their biggest defensive performer Kolo Toure is coming back from a poor season at Man City whilst their goalkeeper Kopa Barry (K.S.C Lokeren in the Belgian Juniper League) is unproven at the highest level. However if new manager Sven can “do a Hiddink” and employ tactical greater discipline, the pride of African football could give their favoured group rivals the fright of their lives.

Star Player: Didier Drogba

 

If he plays, that is. The 09/10 Premier League season began with those ready to dismiss the petulant Chelsea striker, then 31, as past his best, disregarding the fact Didier had only begun professional first-team football 10 years earlier. A Premier League golden boot, domestic double and career best 37 goals in all competitions later, Drogba had once again silenced his doubters for another year. The explosive striker and captain of his country will be expected to replicate his phenomenal form on the world stage. With 44 goals from 68 appearances at international level, it may not be such a difficult task for the in-form talisman if his forearm surgery has been as successful as the Ivorian Football Federation are saying.

Manager: Sven-Göran Eriksson

Not many reputations have sunk quite so quickly as that of Mr. Eriksson. A tremendously successful club manager in Sweden, Portugal and Italy, Sven has suffered a career of missteps and embarrassments over the past nine or ten years. First a marginally successful England reign, Ulrika Jonsson dalliances and undercover “Arabs” employed by the News of the World, but what followed was even more of a circus: sackings from Manchester City and Mexico that led him to the broken promise that was Notts County. Yet Ivory Coast is a tremendous opportunity for Sven to embark on a Steve McClaren-style credibility revival. He has the right players at his disposal and despite public perception, his managerial career is still littered with a great deal more success than failure.

Prediction: Second round exit

It’s hard to see past Spain for the winner of Group H and the irony of 2010’s “Group of Death” is that whoever scrapes second position then has the daunting task of taking on the tournament favorites. The Elephants can fell Portugal and North Korea, but Spain and Brazil will exploit their defensive weaknesses.

Odds: 50/1

Irishness rating: 9/10

Historically Ireland and the Ivory Coast have absolutely nothing in common but you know and I know and everyone knows exactly what they did to earn that 9/10 – their lovely reverse-Ireland flag. Officially adopted in 1959, the Ivorians say orange of the flag signifies the land, the white represents peace and the green represents hope – sure it does. Don’t worry lads, we’re flattered.

If they were a car they’d be…

Ford Explorer Sport – Top heavy and doesn’t corner well, according to one web review. With question-marks over their entire side except attack – Kolo Toure hasn’t been the same player since injuring himself in the Cup of Nations more than two years ago – Ivory Coast are certainly top-heavy. Okay when they’re playing direct, but cornering well is beyond them.