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A to Z of WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA 2010 - Ivory Coast
IVORY COAST:
With the African Continent hosting the World Cup Finals for the first time ever, how fitting it would be if the eventual winners of FIFA’s premier trophy were to be ‘home-grown’! There are many who see Ivory Coast (The Elephants) as the most likely candidates, this despite their being drawn in the same group as Brazil and Portugal.
This will be the Ivorians second appearance in the Finals. In Germany 2006 they lost 2-1 to both Argentina and Netherlands before overcoming a 2-0 deficit to beat Serbia and Montenegro 3-2. Elimination at the first round only made the team even more determined to reach the Finals in 2010. As one of the powerhouse sides in Africa they strode through their qualifying group without losing a match.
However their failure to progress beyond the quarter-finals in the recent African Cup of Nations brought the team and its supporters down to earth in no uncertain manner.
That team was managed by Vahid Halilholdzic, a former Bosnian footballer capped 15 times by Yugoslavia. Wounded during the Bosnian War when in Mostar, he took charge of the Ivory Coast team in 2008 but was sacked after the side’s elimination from the African Cup in January 2010.
At the time of going to ‘press’ his replacement has not been named but rumours suggest the Gus Hiddink, who leaves his Russian job on June 30th and takes up his Turkey post on August 1st, will be offered the chance to coach the Ivory Coast for the duration of the World Cup. Whoever is appointed will inherit a team with top-drawer talent throughout the side. The captain is that formidable forward from Chelsea, Didier Drogba, a figure known to strike terror in the hearts of Premier League defenders everywhere. Drogba is quoted by William Hill at 33/1 to be the top scorer in South Africa.
Up front he will be partnered by his Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou. In midfield is the team’s most capped player, Didier Zakora, once of Tottenham and now of Sevilla. Extra midfield bite will be provided by Barcelona’s Yaya Toure and Marseille’s pocket-battleship Zachary Kone. The defence is not lacking in quality either: Manchester City’s Kolo Toure, Arsenal’s Emmanuel Eboue and Stuttgart’s Arthur Boka will present a formidable front to any attacking force.
On the face of it then the Ivory Coast, ranked 22 by FIFA, has what it takes to progress far in the competition. But, as in 2006, the draw has done them no favours. Brazil and Portugal will not be overcome lightly, and only North Korea could be classed as ‘easy’ opponents. Betfred has The Elephants at 11/10 to reach the last 16 whilst Victor Chandler is offering 4/1 on their winning Group G.
Their opening match is against Portugal on June 15th and you can get 15/8 from Bet365 on an Ivorian victory. Paddy Power are quoting 6/1 on Didier and Co reaching the semi-finals. Their potential status as top-performing African nation is at evens from Blue Square, whilst their being outright winners of the 2010 World Cup can be had at a tempting 28/1 from Boylesports or William Hill. Here’s hoping these particular Elephants don’t forget the lessons of this year’s African Cup of Nations!
Posted: Thursday, March 11th, 2010 @ 08:03 am by Mark
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