attacking full backs for the aerial
prowess of either Wilfried Bony or Lacina Traore to flourish.
Strengths
Attacking options - Didier Drogba may have retired, but the attack remains strong in output and dynamism. With Bony, Traore, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou, Max Gradel, Junior Tallo and Seydou Doumbia, the recently crowned Russia Player of the Year, at his disposal, Renard is not short of the flexibility he craves in attack.
Weaknesses
The appalling defence - The 11 goals les Elephants conceded during qualifying means they had the most porous defence out of all the qualified teams in Equatorial Guinea. Renard has tried his best to reshuffle the defence, using four different partnerships at the heart of it, but the sobering conclusion from the experience has been that the ageing Kolo Toure is still Ivory Coast’s best available centre back
Key Player
Yaya Toure - With Didier Drogba gone, the eyes now chiefly turn to Yaya Toure to rally the troops on and off the pitch. A suspicion lingers that the four-time CAF African Footballer of the Year doesn't replicate club form in the phosphorescent jersey of les Elephants and now, perhaps his last Afcon at his very peak, may finally be the time to silence such naysayers.
The Hipster Choice
Roger Assale - The only domestic-based outfield player in the squad, the TP Mazembe-bound winger was excellent in Sewe Sport's run to the CAF year. Stocky, direct and frighteningly quick, the 21-year-old can be frustratingly raw in his decision making but is an ideal impact sub.
Confederations Cup (Afiica’s second tier continental competition) final last
year. Stocky, direct and frighteningly quick, the 21-year-old can be frustratingly raw in his decision making but is an ideal impact sub.
The Coach
Herve Renard - A populist appointment as he has done what Ivory Coast have failed to do in the last decade or so: win the Africa Cup of Nations. A strict father-figure type, the former Zambia coach hasn't been shy to impose his personality on the current Ivory Coast team; sanctioning curfews for poor performances, even in the aftermaths of wins.
SFG Predicts
Quarter-final exit - This is a fragile Ivory Coast team which is likely to face well-drilled sides throughout the tournament. Their abysmal defence, and tendency for individual errors, makes it difficult to see them come through unscathed.
By Salim Masoud Said (@salimosaid)