African Cup of Nations Group D Preview: Ivory Coast

Les Éléphants are the nearly men of African football but now boast arguably the most talented squad on the continent. The Ivory Coast won the tournament in 1992 but could, and perhaps should have won it on many more occasions, finishing fourth once, third twice and runners up twice, including losing last year’s final to Zambia.

They have also qualified for the last two World Cups, their first forays into the biggest international tournament, getting knocked out in the group stage both times.

How Did They Qualify?

Comfortably and uncomfortably at the same time. After a bye in the first round, they eased to the 2013 tournament after defeating rivals Senegal. They won 4-2 at home and were leading 2-0 in the away leg in Dakar when the game was abandoned.

The Senegal fans didn’t take lightly to the result and set fire to the stands, started fights, threw objects onto the pitch. It was a full blown riot and Ivorian players and fans alike had to be protected and escorted away by the police.

Manager

Sabri Lamouchi is a Frenchman of Tunisian descent with 12 caps for France between 1996 and 2001. Sabri also played for the likes of Inter Milan, Genoa, Monaco and Marseille during a thropy-laden playing career.

In management, the Ivory Coast job is his first job, taking over the role from Francois Zahoui in the aftermath of the 2012 African Nations.

Star Men

Didier Drogba may have moved to China for the money, but let’s not forget he pretty much won the Champions League for Chelsea six months ago. He can still play to a high level and will want to win this, as he’s come so close so many times and it will cap off a fantastic career.

Big, strong, powerful, intimidating and prolific, no defender will want to face Drogba.

Drogba and Yaya chasing down Andreas Weimann in a friendly against Austria in November 2012.

Yaya Toure was hugely missed by Man City when he went away last year and they will miss him again this year. In a time when midfielders tend to be separated into attacking or defensive positions, Toure has the ability to do it all. He scores, he creates, he breaks up play and he puts the tackles in. Toure is a world class all-round midfielder with few others in the game at his level.

Siaka Tiéné isn’t one of the star names on the team sheet, but with 82 caps he is one of the most integral players in the Ivorian defence. Currently at PSG, at the age of 30 time could be running out for Tiéné to pick up some honours.

How Far Can They Go?

All the way. They are genuine contenders for the championship. It seems to be said every year and they always seem to fail at the last hurdle. Will they finally make it past the final fence this time or will they fall once more?