Topics: FiFA World Cup, World Cup 2014, Ivory Coast, Yaya Toure, Gervinho, Sabri Lamouchi
The 2014 World Cup is approaching and the Elephants will try to leave a mark on the international trophy.

The Ivory Coast national football team is ranked 21st by the FIFA World Rankings and is the first amongst the African teams. Les Elephants played the World Cup twice before, in 2006 and in 2010, never making it past the Group stage. The Cote d’Ivoire belongs to the African CAF confederation and their biggest achievements was winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 1992.

During the first round of the qualification, the Ivory Coast qualified won four games, drew twice against second place Morocco, and did not lose any games. The Elephants kept a winning record during the second round as well. The Ivoirians beat Senegal in the first leg, and tied them in the second, earning their third qualification to the World Cup in Brazil.

The Ivory Coast will face Colombia, Greece and Japan in Brazil this Summer

Amongst the many talents that populate the Cote d’Ivoire football team, there is one star who has been shining more than others: Yaya Toure. The Ivorian midfielder has had a tremendous season in England, where he won the EPL title with Manchester City. Due to his physicality, strength, vision, and extreme accuracy, the African is currently considered to be the best and most versatile defensive midfielders in the world, with an extraordinary scoring record.

The Toure brothers will help their nation make history during the 2014 World Cup

Sabri lamouchi, will lead the African team in Brazil this Summer. The French manager won some trophies as a player with Auxerre, Monaco, and Parma, but has yet to make an impact as a coach. The Ivoirians hope that the upcoming World Cup will be the perfect stage for Lamouchi to impress.

Gervinho will be in charge of the left midfield with his dribbling skills and inhuman pace

 

Les Elephants just recently announced the final 23-man squad set to leave for Brazil. Though some were surprised by the absence of Obafemi Martins, not many surprises were included in the list. As expected, talented Gervinho, Drogba, and the Toure brothers made the cut. However, somewhat unexpectedly, powerful Doumbia and Traore failed to make the list.