Ivory Coast World Cup Squad Preview

Written by Tony Concannon Monday, 31 May 2010 11:17

World Cup Squad Previews

 This will be Ivory Coast's second World Cup. They qualified in 2006 but were paired in a 'Group of Death' with Argentina, the Netherlands and Serbia. They lost their first two games (to Argentina and the Netherlands) 2-1, and looked to be heading for three defeats when they found themselves 2-0 down to Serbia. However, they roared back to win 3-2 to finish third in the group.

They've not had much luck with the draw this time round, and will have to overcome Brazil and Portugal to advance to the knockout stages. North Korea are the other team in Group G. It's possible, and the key game will be when they meet Portugal.

New coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has an exciting array of talent to choose from, and many of the Ivory Coast squad will be familiar to Premier League fans. The biggest name was Chelsea forward Didier Drogba, who finshed the season in majestic from for the English champions but an injured elbow ruled him out of the tournament.  Salomon Kalou, his clubmate, however will go into the competition full of confidence and full of goals. Aruna Dindane is also in the 30-man preliminary squad. The striker finished the season on loan at Portsmouth, and impressed despite Pompey's well-documented financial troubles. Dindane originally said he wanted to stay in England, and seemed set on a move to Blackburn Rovers, but rejected the Premier League in favour of the glamour and excitement of er, Qatar. 

The midfield boasts the considerable talents of Barcelona's Yaya Toure, and he should line-up alongside former Spurs man Didier Zokora, now in Spain with Sevilla. Galatasaray's Abdelkader Keita also adds power to the middle. Yaya's brother Kolo Toure lines up in defence. He's not had the best of seasons at Eastlands since his big money to Manchester City from Arsenal. His former team-mate at the Emirates, Emmanuel Eboue is also expected to feature. Guy Demel of Hamburg has impressed in the Bundesliga and Europa League this season. Keep an eye on him.

Eriksson has said that Ivory Coast shouldn't rely too much on Drogba. However, with 47 goals in 66 internationals it's easier said than done as it's his heroics that would have determine their progress. His loss is a sad blow for Ivory Coast and football. Erikkson's men certainly have strength in attack but a lack of pace in defence could be their weak point. The Elephants would usually have ability enough to get to the knockout stages, but face a tough task in South Africa. They lack experience on the world stage, especially compared to Brazil and Portugal, and this may well count against them. Perhaps Portugal will continue to haunt Eriksson as they did when they knocked his England team out of Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.

Ivory Coast squad:
Goalkeepers: Vincent Angban (ASEC Abidjan), Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Aristides Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya), Daniel Yeboah (ASEC Abidjan).
Defenders: Souleymane Bamba (Hibernian), Arthur Boka (VfB Stuttgart), Benjamin Brou Angoua (Valenciennes), Guy Demel (Hamburg SV), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal), Abdoulaye Meite (West Bromwich Albion), Steve Gohouri (Wigan Athletic), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes), Kolo Toure (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Emerse Fae (Nantes), Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Monaco), Abdelkader Keita (Galatasaray), Emmanuel Kone (International Curtea Arges), Gervais Yao Kouassi (Lille), Christian Koffi Ndri (Sevilla), Cheik Ismael Tiote (Twente Enschede), Yaya Toure (Barcelona), Gilles Yapi Yapo (Young Boys Berne), Didier Zokora (Sevilla).
Forwards: Kanga Akale (Racing Lens), Aruna Dindane (Lekhwiya, Qatar), Seydou Doumbia (Young Boys Berne), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea), Bakary Kone (Olympique Marseille).

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