Group G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal
Nickname: Les Elephants
Colors: Orange and green
Current World Ranking: 27
Manager: Sven-Goran Eriksson
The Ivory Coast has gone through 6 coaches in the past 4 years in what seems to be a continuous sequence of self-inflicted wounds by the Ivorian Football Association, preventing the team from establishing true consistency. The last manager, Vahid Halilhodzic, had been at the helm since 2008, had lost only one game out of 24, had qualified the team for the African Cup of Nations and this World Cup. However it was that one loss that cost him dearly as it was a quarter-final defeat to Algeria in extra time in the African Cup of Nations. The defeat came at a time of great political unrest in a country that seems only able to unite behind its soccer team, so Halilhodzic became the martyr. The timing couldn’t have been worse though for a team that was preparing for the World Cup that was less than 4 months away at the time. The ensuing process to find a replacement was no less tumultus though, as it appeared certain that the Dutchman “Lucky” Guus Hiddink was going to take over and work his underdog magic with the Ivorians, but conversations fell through and ultimately the Swede, Sven-Goran Eriksson was hired instead. Eriksson has a pretty healthy resume having managed some of the world’s biggest clubs before becoming England’s first foreign manager in 2002, a post he held until 2006. Unfortunately Eriksson has mainly been known for what he hasn’t done, more than what he has. England excelled under his guidance but as is their nature, failed to win any tournaments. After getting sacked by England he went to coach Manchester City where he led them to their highest points total ever in the league but was fired after only one season for not doing better. He then went to manage the Mexican National Team in what has to be considered an absolute failure as the team won only 1 match in 7 under his guidance. He was fired after being in the position for less than one year. Ivory Coast seems like a good fit for Eriksson now, who has always excelled at getting the most out of his players, especially when they're undermanned, as the Ivorians certainly are, but the real question is whether he’s been in the position long enough to affect their chances in this Cup.
History: The Ivory Coast has very little to speak of when it comes to successes in soccer. To date they have won the African Cup of Nations once in 1992 and qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany where they lost to Argentina and Netherlands before beating Serbia and Montenegro. Perhaps their biggest achievement in that tournament was scoring in all three matches.
Players: It’s not fair to the rest of the team to suggest that Ivory Coast comes down to one player. But realistically, they come down to one player. Granted, he is freakishly strong; unbelievably athletic, and perhaps the single most natural goal scorer in the world. Oh, and he is at the top of my list of people I absolutely despise.
Didier Drogba – Striker (Captain)
It’s true, I hate this man more than anyone else on the planet, mostly because he plays for Chelsea in England, more so because he is the biggest, whiniest drama queen to ever put on a pair of cleats, but also because he is unbelievably good and has torched every team I have ever rooted for time and time again. So let me put my personal feelings aside and talk about him as a player. At 32 he should be in the twilight of his career but that couldn’t be further from the truth – he’s absolutely in his prime. He was a late bloomer to begin with and didn’t sign his first professional contract until he was 21 and didn’t debut for his nation until 2002. But since that point he has done one thing – scored goals. He made the move to Chelsea in 2004 where he become the most expensive Ivorian in history. Since then he has gone on to win three League Titles and three FA Cups, he was the leading scorer in the Premier League in 2006-07, and was the African Footballer of the year in 2006. This past season he scored 29 goals for Chelsea as he led them to their first ever double.
Drogba was also named to Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People list for helping to usher in a cease-fire after 5 years of civil war in his country as he pleaded with the rival armies to lay down their arms after the team qualified for the 2006 Cup, which they did.
Despite his peace-making credentials off the pitch, controversy is never fair from Drogba on it. He has earned a reputation for being a world-class actor on the field, often flailing about and faking injuries in an effort to win calls from the referee. He also pouts and whines with the best of them, and is no stranger to being disciplined on the pitch having received red cards in some of the biggest matches he’s played in, and even received a multi-game suspension after getting red-carded in a UEFA Champions League game then cursing out a television camera on his way off the pitch.
Ivory Coast’s chances in this Cup rest squarely on Drogba’s shoulders. If he can keep his cool and do what he does best – score lots and lots of goals - the team has a chance to advance. Without him though, they’re hopeless.
Salomon Kalou – Striker
At 24 Kalou has a bright career ahead of him. Playing alongside Drogba at Chelsea he has often struggled to get consistent minutes in a team that is packed with super stars. But he makes the most of his opportunities scoring goals every chance he gets. Any opponent that focuses too much of Drogba could very easily find Kalou putting the ball in the back of their net. He’s small, fast, and very direct on the ball, having admittedly modeled his game after his hero, French strker Thierry Henry.
Emmanuel Eboue – Defender
The 27-year-old plays in the central defense or defensive midfield for English side Arsenal and has proven himself to be a very strong, tough defender. Once out of favor among fans at Arsenal he has finally earned his stripes for the team and will anchor the Ivorian defense along with former Arsenal teammate Kolo Toure.
Kolo Toure – Defender / Yaya Toure – Midfielder
Kolo is the older brother to Yaya and is currently the captain for Manchester City in England having chased the money away from Arsenal like so many other players before last season. Yaya is a defensive midfielder and the first ever Ivorian to play for Barcelona in Spain where he has won two league titles and a UEFA Champions League Title. Together with his brother and Eboue, Yaya will create one of the more experienced and formidable defenses in the tournament.
Prediction: In any other Group in the tournament Ivory Coast might be favored to advance to the Round of 16, and while they may have a better than average chance to upset Brazil or certainly Portugal, very few would pick them as favorites. Yes, they have the African advantage; yes, they have Didier Drogba; but political unrest at home and a brand new manager may be more than they can handle in this tournament.
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