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Outright Odds: 80/1
Team C Winners: 9/1
The Ivory Coast topped their qualifying team but the margins among results and failure had been so intensive it came all the way down to just one penalty kick with just four minutes of qualification remaining.
During the penultimate qualifying match, the Ivorians desired a victory towards Cameroon to make sure qualification, Nonetheless they shed 3-two in Abidjan. Their subsequent 3-1 absent get at Sudan can be meaningless if Environment Cup mainstays Cameroon conquer Egypt. The match was all sq. at one-1 right up until Cameroon were being awarded a penalty four minutes into injuries time. A prosperous spot kick would deliver them via but Pierre Wome hit the surface on the publish as well as Ivory Coastline ended up heading to Germany.
The Ivory Coast are arguably the strongest African facet participating in the finals, with Cameroon, Nigeria, Morocco and Senegal all failing to qualify. Nonetheless, They're also pitted inside the hardest group and may should be at their greatest in opposition to conventional favourites for example Argentina and Holland.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba qualified prospects the entrance line and contributed 9 aims as his country certified for The very first time in eight makes an attempt. Arsenal defender Kolo Toure is the most recognisable defender however the workforce oozes excellent from gamers predominantly plying their trade in France.
Partnering Drogba in attack is Lens forward Aruna Dindane while playmaker Bonaventure Kalou, from Paris St Germain and St. Ettienes Didier Zakora are all effective at building an influence. In defence Toure is joined by Abdoulaye Meite from Marseille, Strasbourgs Etienne Boka and veteran Cyrille Domoraud, now playing for Creteil.
Staying positioned in this kind of a tricky qualifying group, the Ivorians will profit tremendously from getting a coach of Henri Michels stature. The vastly seasoned coach is in command of his sixth nationwide crew following stints at France, Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia as well as the United Arab Emirates. With 20 several years encounter to contact upon, He'll make sure Drogba and co. are entirely geared up for that task in advance.
Though the group are sturdy in the majority of locations, They're also probe to a lack of concentration. This was highlighted inside their qualifier in opposition to Cameroon which could have witnessed them miss out on out on a place during the finals. In addition there are uncertainties raised on their capability to play absent from home right after qualifying defeats to Egypt and Cameroon as well as a goalless draw with Libya.
Encouraged Guess:
Senegal burst onto the Global scene four a long time back if they defeat an less than-par France 1-0 while in the opening recreation And so the Ivory Coast could maybe do the exact same. If they might do the unthinkable and beat possibly Argentina or Holland, some extent within their remaining match from Serbia & Montenegro could see them as a result of to the final 16.
Ivory Coastline vs Serbia & Montenegro attract @ 5/2