If an African team is to make a major impact in South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire are seen as that team.
Les Elephants also have a point to prove after being eliminated in the first round at Germany 2006 — albeit in an extremely difficult group, where they lost 2-1 to giants Argentina and the Netherlands before coming from two goals down to beat Serbia and Montenegro 3-2.
The road to South Africa
Befitting their status as one of the continent’s powerhouses, Côte d’Ivoire strode through qualifying without losing a match, running away with their final qualifying group ahead of Burkina Faso, Malawi and Guinea.
Star players
Les Elephants feature top-drawer talent throughout their side, with the Chelsea pair of Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou a formidable duo up front. Didier Zokora and Yaya Toure provide bite in midfield alongside Bakary Kone, while Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure combine with Arthur Boka to form one of the best defences in Africa.
The coach
Vahid Halilhodzic took the reins of his first national side when he assumed control of Côte d’Ivoire after Afcon 2008. A large portion of his coaching career has been spent in France and since his arrival the side have gone unbeaten since the month he took charge.
Facts
- Côte d’Ivoire were the only nation at Germany 2006 whose squad was made up of players entirely based at clubs outside their home country.
- They are the only team who have never failed to score in a World Cup match.
- Côte d’Ivoire conceded early goals in all three of their 2006 matches, with all six of their goals against coming before the 40th minute. –Fifa