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Forget creature comforts, coach tells Ivorians The Ivory Coast players have been told by their coach to forget the creature comforts of their European clubs and get to grips with windowless changing rooms and sauna-like conditions
Francois Zahoui added that playing for their country against Group B opponents Sudan, Burkina Faso and Angola mattered more than appearing in La Liga or the English Premier League. "I tell them to forget the comforts of the club, the national team its a different kettle of fish," the impassioned coach, clearly exasperated by criticism of his team's opening 1-0 win over lowly Sudan, told reporters. "Here we play in sauna-like conditions, with referees who do what they can under difficult circumstances. "I have seen changing rooms where there are no windows and no air-conditioning and it's like an oven inside, but that's the African reality," Zahoui said at the team's luxury hotel with its own private beach and golf club. "I have told my players that the national team is the highest level for any professional player. "You can have players from clubs like Barcelona, Arsenal,Chelsea, Manchester, but the national team is a step up for each one. "You must have humility with you, knowing that the country is expecting a win." Ivory Coast are among the favourites to win their first title since 1992 after losing in the 2006 final and 2008 semi-finals. On both occasions, they played some of the best football in the tournament but lost to Egypt at the crucial stage. Zahoui reiterated that his priority was to win this time. "It doesn't matter if it's a header in the last minute," he said. "I know through experience that when Ivory Coast won the Nations Cup in 1992, we played extra-time in three games and won on penalties. "We are favourites and everyone expects to win easily but I work on the basis of respecting the opponents," said the coach who used references to Greece, Argentina, Cameroon and Burundi to make his points. "When Greece won the Euro 2004 in Portugal (playing defensively), everyone said it was a fantastic achievement but when we play that way, they don't like it. "I'm going to install a winning mentality and make sure we learn the lessons of the past. My mission is to take the cup back to Abidjan, "My players are going to suffer and are going to win matches." Ivory Coast face Burkina Faso in their next game on Thursday. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online sports on Twitter: @AO_Sports)
