Four years after their first World Cup appearance, Ivory Coast surely have higher ambitions to achieve in South Africa this summer. A debut appearance in Germany 2006 saw them crash into a crunch group including Argentina, Holland and Serbia, resulting in an expected first-round exit. Ironically, the unlucky Ivorians will once again find themselves in another 'Group of Death', clashing with Brazil and Portugal in Pool G. Although they are considered outsiders for the knockouts by many, Ivory Coast talisman Didier Drogba has another opinion. "At the last World Cup we played really well, but we were unlucky because we were in a very tough group with Argentina and Holland and went out in the first round," said the Chelsea hitman. "But I think with this kind of experience, it will be possible at South Africa 2010 to do much better.
Sven-Goran Eriksson "Perhaps we can make the quarter-finals and then semi-finals; this is something we can achieve." Quality vs. Complacency The Ivorians are renowned for consistently producing top-drawer talents and this was vindicated by their usually-glamorous squad brimming with European-based stars. In Germany 2006, they were the only team in the tournament not to include a single local-based player in their roster. This is time there is one added though. This generation is undoubtedly the brightest in the history of a nation that has only seen the World Cup during the era of Drogba and Co. Despite the positives, the star-studded squad has often been criticized of being complacent and lacking the determination of high-profile teams.
Boubacar Barry "Let's put egos aside this time and ask them to really sweat, because after a missed opportunity in the African Cup we have to go as far as we can (in the World Cup)," said Ivory Coast legend Abdoulaye Traore. "If they can put their pride aside, it will be easier for them." Road to South Africa The Elephants might have strived to reach their first World Cup finals in 2006, but the road to South Africa has almost been a walk in the park. An unbeaten record in 12 matches placed Ivory Coast among the earliest to book the South Africa ticket. They expectedly finished top of their first-round group with 12 points from six games, overcoming minnows Mozambique, Madagascar and Botswana.
Did you know? Ivory Coast had five different managers from 2006 to 2010 Their final round campaign has even been more impressive as they amassed 16 points in a near-perfect run against Burkina Faso, Malawi and Guinea. How they play Even though they have hardly settled with one manager at the helm in recent years, Ivory Coast have always been dependant on the hulking Drogba. The prolific striker is a definite choice upfront, with a number of advanced forwards competing for the wide attacking roles. The likes of Gervinho, Aruna Dindane and Solomon Kalou are available options for Sven-Goran Eriksson, even though the latter is odds-on to partner his Chelsea mate upfront. Spain-based duo Yaya Toure and Didier Zokora are likely to feature in the center, giving the Ivorians defensive strength in midfield. Full-backs will contribute to offensive duties in Eriksson's usual 4-4-2 formation, with Emmanuel Eboue and Siaka Tiene the likely choices on the flanks. A disadvantage, however, remains in goal, where the 1.81m Boubacar Barry is first choice.
