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All you need to know about the Elephants of Ivory Coast ahead of AFCON 2023
Ivory Coast are one of the continent’s foremost underachievers, at least of the last 30 years. As the host nation this time around, they face significant pressure to translate their depth of talent into a third Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph.
The Elephants finished behind Zambia on goal difference in their qualifying group, suffering a 3-0 reverse at the hands of the Chipolopolo that was their only blemish in the series. They, however, were far from prolific, managing a goal over two legs against lowly Lesotho, for instance. Over the course of 2023, Ivory Coast won five of eight matches, drawing twice, and were held scoreless on two occasions. Their biggest win in the calendar year came in the form of a 9-0 mauling of Seychelles in November’s 2026 World Cup qualifier.
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19:11 - 01.01.2024
FOOTBALL Sadio Mane believes 2023 AFCON will be ‘the toughest’ of them all
The former Liverpool man inspired the side to their first ever AFCON trophy in 2021.
The latest FIFA ranking has the two-time African champions as Africa’s eighth-best side, and 49th in the world.
The history
In 2015, Ivory Coast won their second AFCON title, pipping Ghana in a tense final to send forth the last vestiges of their fabled golden generation. For all that they have historically produced fine attacking talent, both of their triumphs at the continental showpiece (the first was in 1992, also against Ghana) have come via penalty shoot-out, achieved by teams playing a more cautious, defensive style.
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The last edition saw the Elephants start promisingly, eliminating reigning champions Algeria before succumbing to an improving Egypt in the Round of 16.
The coach and tactical approach
It is safe to say that the sentiment around Jean-Louis Gasset has turned. While the appointment of the 69-year-old was seen as underwhelming, initial results allayed some concerns about the currency of his footballing ideas.
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Some poor results at the tail end of the AFCON qualifiers – most notably a 3-0 undressing against Zambia – have turned the flame up, however. Gasset’s preferred 4-3-3 is more solid than swashbuckling, built on physicality through the spine of the team, with creativity resting with the wide players.
Key players
Ivory Coast will be grateful for the return of Seko Fofana from the international wilderness. The former Lens dynamo is employed in the Middle East these days, but he is no less than what he was for the French side for so long: an all-phase midfielder of the highest order.
At the back, Gasset is spoilt for choice, but he has settled on Evan Ndicka as his lynchpin in defence. Based out of Roma, the 24-year-old is rapid across the ground and fairly strong in the air, and it is not a stretch to imagine that his occasional inclination to dive in might actually translate into a strength within the context of the AFCON.
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23:08 - 02.01.2023
Sebastian Haller resumes Dortmund training after bout with cancer
After undergoing treatment for cancer, Ivorian striker Sebastian Haller is now back to training with Borussia Dortmund
Upfront, Sebastien Haller is likely to get the nod despite his intermittent involvement at Borussia Dortmund this term; while Ivory Coast have a lot of wide forwards, there are not many established options through the middle.
Young player to watch
If Haller’s lack of continuity is a grave concern, then Karim Konate could announce himself in a major way at AFCON. The 19-year-old is the latest off the Salzburg assembly line, and plays with all the flair and athleticism one might expect of a player that age. His first international start – against Seychelles in November – saw him make quite the first impression, scoring and assisting twice apiece, and terrorising the overmatched visitors with his movement and dribbling.
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Probable lineup
Yahia Fofana; Serge Aurier, Evan Ndicka, Ousmane Diomande, Ghislain Konan; Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana, Ibrahim Sangare; Christian Kouame, Sebastien Haller, Simon Adingra.
Tournament prediction
As always with Ivory Coast, the sense remains that they are better at counterpunching than they are at leading a game. The Elephants should win Group A, but a meeting with either Cameroon or Guinea in the Round of 16 could have them in a world of trouble. Hard to project any better than a semi-final appearance.
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