Ivory Coast’s golden generation hope for last hurrah

Africa’s best hope of winning the World Cup this year is the Ivory Coast, who are priced at 125/1, and it seems that for many of their ‘golden generation’ of players this will be their last chance to impress.

The Elephants face a fairly favourable group (C), featuring the Colombia, Japan and Greece, and are priced as joint-second favourites with the Asian nation, both to top their pool at 4/1, and qualify to the knockout stages at evens.

Despite boasting a fantastic current crop of players, this will only be the Ivorians’ third appearance at the World Cup finals, all in a row, and have never made it past the first hurdle. Take odds of 7/4 if you fancy them to go one stage further and exit in the last 16, or 13/2 to bow out in the quarters.

They have had no luck in their previous tournaments, after been placed in ‘group of deaths’ with Brazil, Portugal and minnows North Korea in 2010, and Argentina, the Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro in 2006.

This year’s draw gives Ivory Coast icons such as national captain Didier Drogba (Galatasaray) and the Toure brothers, Yaya (Manchester City) and Kolo (Liverpool), the perfect opportunity to prove to the world that their talent on the big stage has not been wasted.

Although that trio, as well as likes of the versatile Didier Zakora (Trabzonspor), left backs Siaka Tiene (Montpellier) and Arthur Boka (Stuttgart), as well as midfielder Romaric (Bastia), are now in their thirties, they still possess the quality apt for the World Cup.

It’s debatable to say whether a new wave of talent to match the likes of Drogba and Yaya are coming through. However, emerging young right back Serge Aurier (Toulouse) will compliment mid-20s players such as midfielder destroyer Cheick Tiote (Newcastle United), former Arsenal attacker Gervinho (now Roma) and forwards Wilfried Bony (Swansea) and Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow).

Ivory Coast have never had a top-quality goalkeeper and, although it is the weak spot of the team, they currently have Boubacar ‘Copa’ Barry – who plays for Belgian Pro League outfit Lokeren – in net. The 34-year-old, who has gained 75 caps for his country and played at the last two World Cups, will undoubtedly be head coach Sabri Lamouchi’s first choice between the sticks.

In front of him, as part of Lamouchi’s 4-2-3-1 formation, experienced trio Kolo, Zakora and his clubmate Sol Bamba (formerly of Leicester City) will fight it out for the two centre half positions.

Zakora, 33, is a usual midfielder, and that is where he has been played this season for his Turkish club, but the Ivory Coast’s most capped player has been utilised mainly at the heart of defence for the Elephants.

The right back berth will almost certainly go to French-raised 21-year-old Aurier. He has impressed since replacing Emmanuel Eboue – the first of the golden generation seemingly to fall – and set looks to be a mainstay in the Ivory Coast setup for many years to come.

On the left, there is a straight fight between Tiene and Boka, who are similar in age (32 and 31 respectively) and caps won (83 and 75). The duo have been alternated by managers for their country throughout their whole careers, and Lamouchi will have a tough choice decision to make on who to pick.

Tiote will be partnered with one of Romaric or Jean-Jacques Gosso (Genclerbirligi), and will provide excellent support to the attacking players in defensive midfield, with Zakora as cover if needed, while world class star Yaya will occupy the advanced central position.

Former Premier League duo Gervinho and Salomon Kalou (Lille), who have impressed since leaving England, will be the first choice wingers. Pacey ex-Leeds United wide man Max Gradel (now of Saint-Etienne) will provide backup.

National hero and top scorer Drogba (with an incredible 63 from 99 appearances) will lead the line. He also has more than suitable cover in the likes of Doumbia, Bony and possibly Everton loanee Lacina Traore – who hopes to weave his way into the World Cup squad.

Former Chelsea legend Drogba, now 36, is set to earn his 100th cap before the finals, and you can back him at 100/1 to be tournament leading marksman.