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Côte d'Ivoire Team Information
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Côte d'Ivoire - Team Profile
30/03/2006
Cote d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Les Elephants, the Elephants – whatever you want to call them the African Nation's Cup runners-up look set to make a huge impression on World Cup 2006 with internationally renowned stars such as Didier Drogba, the Toure brothers Kolo and Yaya as well as emerging stars such as Emmanuel Eboué and Aruna Dindane.
Their qualification surprised many as they have not got the pedigree of other African nations, indeed they qualified ahead of favourites Cameroon and Egypt (the team who would beat them on penalties in the final of the 2006 African Nation's Cup). Chelsea's Didier Drogba was top scorer in qualification though they only assured a place in the finals with a 3-1 victory against Sudan while Egypt and Cameroon nullified each other in Cairo. Described as 'divine qualification' they have continued their good form up to the finals.
Defensively they are strong with Arsenal's Kolo Toure partnering Bonaventure Kalou in the centre of defence and the experience Jean-Jacques Tizie in goal. Guy Demel is a regular for Hamburg in Germany and he is an option while Emmanuel Eboué of Arsenal has made giant strides since his Premiership debut earlier this year.
They are probably weakest in midfield though Kolo Toure's brother Yaya is progressing all the time and Aruna Dindane is making giant strides at Lens in France. Obviously Didier Drogba is the focal point of the side and his ability to hold the ball up as well as score will be tantamount to the the Elephant's progression in the tournament. Much too will depend on the skilled coaching of former French manager Henri Michael.