Absent for two editions, Côte d'Ivoire don make grand return to World Cup stage this Sunday for Philadelphia against Ecuador for Group E. With golden generation wey dey young and carefree, di 2023 Africa champions wan correct historical anomaly.
For three previous appearances for World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014), di Côte d’Ivoire of Drogba generation never fit reach knockout stage. Na glass ceiling wey Emerse Faé and im new guard plan to break from this Sunday against Ecuador.
“Dis first match na key,” right back Guéla Doué tok. “We know say victory for opener go put us for good position for di rest. We dey take dis match with maximum seriousness.” Seriousness, yes, but also plenty freshness for group wey di Strasbourg defender call “young, fiery and carefree.”
For Ivorian ranks, no single player don ever taste World Cup before. Na jump into unknown wey cause more excitement than fear, like young Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Touré (20 years) yarn: “At kickoff, I go get goosebumps. To play World Cup na ultimate dream. We grow up watching big brothers like Gervinho and Didier Drogba defend our colours. Today, na our turn to make di country vibrate.”
For dia first match, di menu dey plenty tough. Against Ecuadorian block wey dey known for solidity and defensive rigour, di Elephants dey expect real fight. “E go be physical, complicated match wey go decide for small details,” coach Emerse Faé warn. “But for impact and intensity, I no dey worry. My boys get response.”
Bazoumana Touré share di confidence, ready to shake di South American defence: “Dem dey strong, but we too. We get individuals wey fit break any lock. Everybody dey sharp. I think Ecuadorians go surprise by our aggression.” Imprevisibility na di trademark of dis 2026 Côte d’Ivoire version. Di preparation matches don send serious warning to competitors: three wins against Scotland (1-0), South Korea (4-0) and France (2-1). Plus one striking fact: seven goals scored by seven different scorers.
Faé add: “Today, with video, opponents go dissect you for two clicks. To exist, you need to be unpredictable, get imagination.”
