Ivory Coast will NEVER get it Done....this is Why....

Before the ball was kicked in the second leg match between the Orange Africans and the Senegalese, I took a look at the former's team. I was amazed again at the quality they had in their entire team as well as their bench. Then just like clockwork, this supremely talented Ivorian team struggled against Senegal and were lucky that their West African counterparts just did not feel like scoring on the night. It baffled me that even on neutral ground, Ivory Coast just seemed out of the game and lacked any real sense of urgency.

If Ivory Coast continue in this manner they have played with through all these years, then they will never get the trophy their talents deserve. Ivory Coast are committing the worst International Football sin, they are playing like Europeans.
  Just like Dunga did with Brazil and what Prandelli is trying to do with Italy, the worst thing is making a nation play against their natural tendencies.
I am sure Lamouchi is at awe with the talents he has from the top European clubs. So it only makes sense he wants them to bring that experience and style of play to the national team. But that my friends is the big mistake Ivory Coast make. They have forgotten that they are an African and they must act accordingly. Africans play a physical and more intense game that is combined with technical and footballing ability. Perhaps the Super Eagles are an exception of a team who technically on their day are as good as Brazil. But, there is still that physical superiority that African teams will ALWAYS have over their counterparts. It's something to embrace rather than shun. If Ivory Coast keep to their European style of play, they will get shown up by Spain, Italy and Holland who are NATURALLY accustomed to that strategy.

One of my heroes, Serena, has proven this concept of mine. It is her mix of her natural physical strength and speed which supersedes her opponents, as well as her expert pin-point technique that has made her the greatest female tennis player of all time. Ivory Coast can do a lot to learn from her, and get back that African juice which will be needed if we can finally see an African team lift up the greatest sporting trophy.



Ghana and perhaps the resurgent Nigeria may hold Africa's hopes in next year's competition. But if Ivory Coast can play to their potential and develop their own unique and African style of play, then I feel they have a GREAT chance to go really far in the tournament. They just need to remember who they are and where they came from.


HH