Tuesday 20 April 2010

IVORY COAST

THEY ARE:
Otherwise known as Cote d’Ivoire it is a former French colony which gained independence in 1960. Huzzah!

AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
This is their second World Cup finals as they become one of the emerging lights in the new breed of African football. They had a rude awakening when they made their World Cup debut at the 2006 tournament being drawn in the same group as Argentina and Holland losing 2-1 in both games. It was a respectable performance on the whole.

MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
I am no fan of Chelsea and as a result I am no fan of Didier Drogba although his skills cannot be denied. Other familiar faces include Eboue, Toure and Kalou who I am less vehement about.

IN 2010:
They are now a Sven-Goran Eriksson joint, whatever good that will do them (spoken like the bitter Englishman that I am). Earlier this year they were lackluster in the African Cup Of Nations going out to Algeria in the quarter finals after beating Ghana in the group stages, unfortunately the group that was to have Togo competing in also. The unfortunate injury to Didier Drogba in their recent friendly with Japan is likely to play havoc with their apparent campaign as they hope and pray that he will be fit enough to figure in their matches.

FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Didier Drogba is the most famous by a mile with a near legendary status in his home country. As noted above the nation can also boast players such as Kolo Toure, Salomon Kalou and Emmanuel Eboue.

MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
Their nickname is “The Elephants”.

AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
Occupation by Europeans and Coups d’etat.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM THE IVORY COAST THAT I KNOW:
None.

QUOTE FROM AN IVORIAN:
Not likely.

DO I LIKE THEM:
I like African teams but I don’t really like Drogba. What to do.

FINAL COMMENT:
Portugal v Ivory Coast and Ronaldo v Drogba truly is a contest of disdain for me.

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