AFCON 2023 Team Guides: Ivory Coast

Coming into AFCON 2023 as the host nation and a two-time winner, Ivory Coast would have a point to prove that the Elephants can still be counted among the heavyweights in Africa, and that football in the country should not be defined by the golden generation alone. 

By Efosa Taiwo

Ivory Coast is one of the strongest footballing nations on the African continent having produced world-class talents that did go on to hold their own on the global stage.

The frightening era of Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure, Gervinho would be remembered warmly whenever the name Ivory Coast comes up in footballing discourse.

Coming into AFCON 2023 as the host nation and a two-time winner, the Jean Louis Gasset-led side would have a point to prove that the Elephants can still be counted among the heavyweights in Africa, and that football in the country should not be defined by the golden generation alone.

That is something they will have to get right into when the tournament begins, with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea, and the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau standing in their way for a qualification ticket to the next round.

While the odds are in their favor to make it out of the group, they will have to negotiate where they will finish with equal favorites, the Nigerian Super Eagles.

The Coach

Jean Louis-Gasset succeeded Patrice Beaumelle in May 2022, and has settled down to life in the West African country rather impressively.