March 29, 2011. In front of 80,000 fans packed in London’s Wembley Stadium, England faced Ghana in a friendly match. England opened the scoring with an Andy Carroll left-footed, low-driven volley in the first half. Ghana, with several chances in the second half, equalized the game in the last minutes through an Asamoah Gyan left-footed finessed finish. The Ghanaian fans erupted—it was almost as if they were playing in Accra. The jubilation exhibited by the fans was unforgettable.
The scenes following Côte d’Ivoire’s 2-1 game-winning goal against France, in Nantes, reminded me of that match.
It also resurfaced memories of Senegal’s 3-1 win over England last summer.
The Ghana and Senegal results were significant in isolation, as they occurred during the middle of the domestic season and after, respectively. But Thursday’s game was more consequential. This could be the boost Côte d’Ivoire needs to make a deep World Cup run.
Gifted Players
This match was filled with subplots. Of course, it was another edition of the colonizer against the former colony. Additionally, a number of the Côte d’Ivoire players were either born in France or represented France at the youth level. Given the competitive nature of making the French men’s national team, some players resort to representing their country of heritage. The underdogs claimed the victory, their first over France in Côte d’Ivoire’s history.
Someone on YouTube jokingly commented:
Or my personal favorite:
Not only that, it was nearly a Kevin Prince Boateng/Jerome Boateng situation repeating itself—brothers playing against each other while representing separate nations. Guela Doué of Côte d’Ivoire faced younger brother Desiré Doué’s France (although Desiré was on the bench for the entirety of the game). With Doué roughly translating to “gift” in French, it was the elder brother that delivered two critical showpieces, a goal and assist, in their victory.
The Psychological Boost
Basically every nation participating in the World Cup is playing in friendly games similar to opponents in their group in order to prepare for the World Cup. For instance, Spain played Iraq in a friendly in order to prepare for their group game against Saudi Arabia. Côte D’Ivoire’s match against France was to prepare for their eventual match against big European side Germany, their second group game in a group that also features Ecuador and Curaçao. Given their success against France, it gives Les Éléphants some confidence in getting a favorable result against Germany.
It’s working noting that France played a strong team for this match. This wasn’t exactly their B or C team. This was their starting lineup, courtesy of FotMob:
Defeating the number one FIFA-ranked team and their first team is quite remarkable. And Côte d’Ivoire didn’t exactly play their strongest lineup. They were able to put up this performance with Nicolas Pepe and Amad Diallo coming off the bench and Evan N’Dicka, Evann Guessand, and Odilon Kossounou rested. That is something.
They’ve only lost three of their last 16 games, and they’ve done it quietly. A sign that this team means business.
The Contribution of Inao Oulaï
Côte d’Ivoire’s starting central midfield partnership in the France game included veterans Sekou Fofana and Franck Kessié. In the second half, 20 year-old midfielder Christ Ravynel Inao Oulaï came on during the last 30 minutes for Kessié.
I was familiar with Inao Oulaï’s name and game only through EAFC 25, as I’m currently managing Corsica-based club SC Bastia in career mode. In my team, he plays higher up the pitch as an advanced playmaker in the 10 position, and his energy and pace is a tremendous asset to the team. However, in reality, especially during the France match, the Trabzonspor man plays de, and frequently breaks up , andl as helps build up from the back. Much to my surprise, he can do the defensive work.
One thing EAFC 25 got right was his energy and pace.
His stature and play is similar to N’Golo Kanté, and they actually marked each other during the game, making that comparison even more evident.
Inao Oulaï could play significant minutes Les Éléphants during the World Cup, and could be the spark Côte d’Ivoire needs if they were to advance from the group stage.
My World Cup Prediction for Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire (0) – Ecuador (0)
Côte d’Ivoire (1) – Germany (1)
Côte d’Ivoire (2) – Curaçao (1)
Côte D’Ivoire to finish 2nd in their group, advance to the Round of 32 and get eliminated in the Round of 16
Group E is Côte d’Ivoire’s group, also comprised of (in order they face their opponents) Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao. If Côte d’Ivoire plans on advancing to the next round without relying on other teams outside of their group to dictate their destiny, they must not lose against Ecuador. Considering it’s the first World Cup game, both teams may be overly cautious, hence the scoreless draw prediction. Germany could advance to the knock out stage when they face Côte d’Ivoire in Round 2 of the group stage games (assuming Germany defeats Curaçao in Round 1, which I believe they will) so it will be a tough game for Côte d’Ivoire, but I’m not convinced by Germany’s attack (especially with Leroy Sané as the starting right winger). The last group stage game against Curaçao may see the debut nation already eliminated from the competition and playing for pride. If Côte d’Ivoire’s advancement to the Round of 32 comes to goal difference, I don’t think Curaçao concede many goals. But it should be a victory nonetheless for Côte d’Ivoire.
Will a jubilant fan base see their team advance to the knockout stages for the first time? The chances look good this year, especially if they replicate similar performances like Thursday’s game against France.
Good luck to Côte d’Ivoire!
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