Throughout the game Emenike looked the most dangerous player on the pitch, always fighting to get The Eagles in front, and he did just that with a thunderous free kick, which went straight through Copa. A strong first 15-minute performance in the second half saw Tiote equalize, only for Mba to score the winner for Nigeria in the 78th minute.

Another defeat and early exit for The Elephants – something I didn’t expect. Maybe the “Golden Generation” will have to look back on what could have been. I am left a very disappointed fan this morning in Singapore.

This match was never destined to be a classic – Algeria already eliminated in the competition and Ivory Coast already qualified. Coach Lamouchi put out the reserve side – only Romaric and Kalou remained from the starting XI that played against Tunisia at the weekend. A time to shine arguably, and of course starting with players like Kolo Toure and Drogba, this reserve team aren’t terrible, but there were clear weaknesses particularly in goal. And given Copa Barry was perhaps the only person who really needed resting, after reignited his long-term back problems, that was rather worrying. There was little hurry about the Ivorian game until the second half when Algeria scored goals in quick succession, the first from the penalty spot. Ivory Coast were clearly embarrassed to be down two goals and turned up the pace with Drogba scoring well, and then Bony equalising with a deflection that turned his rather wayward shot goal-bound. All in all, not a fantastic match and I don’t think we learned much about Ivory Coast’s chances in the rest of the competition. Perhaps it’s good though that they can play terribly and still so rarely lose, and also that the team’s pride will have been brought down a few notches. It was nice at the end to see warm scenes between the Ivorian players and their former coach, Vahid Halilhodzic.

Starting XI

Yeboah

Boka, Traore, Kolo, Igor

Kalou, Romaric, Razak, Arouna

Drogba (c), Bony

Ivory Coast’s captain Didier Drogba was not included in Lamouchi’s starting eleven in their Nations’ Cup second group match against Tunisia. Does the Elephants’ landmark’s pale performance in their inaugural match against Adebayor’s Togo signal the end of the veteran?

Drogba lacks regular team football following the end of the Chinese championship and is still struggling to conclude a new deal in Europe. As if this was not enough, the thirty-four year player faces faces competition from the team’s youngsters embodied by Vitesse Arnhem’s Wilfried Bony by the current top goal scorer in the Dutch league and Russia-based player Lassina Traore. Traore took over from Drogba in Saturday’s match against Tunisia and gifted the opener to Gervinho in the first half. The former Chelsea striker could give more on the pitch, yet rising talents in his side as well as his growing age could precipitate the downfall of his undoubted influence over the team.

Drogba made his debut with Ivory Coast in 2002 and has recorded fifty-nine goals in ninety appearances. He gave a massive boost to his country in their two World Cup qualifications (2006-2010), but has yet to win the continental award

Ivory Coast made it two out of two with a far more impressive victory against what was also stronger opposition. Lamouchi’s surprise decision to live out ageing stars Kolo Toure and Didier Drogba seemed to pay dividends in the first half, when they played some of the best football they’ve shown in a while. Gervinho scored first with a nice one-two in tight space in the box. In the second-half, Tunisia made more of a showing, but did little to test Copa Barry, and later a good control and shot from Yaya Toure made it two, before a third from Didier Ya Konan. Qualification is practically secure now for the next round, and surprisingly the only team to have six points.

Starting line up:

Copa

Eboue, Zokora, Bamba, Tiene

Kalou (sub Max Gradel), Romaric (sub Didier Ya Konan), Yaya, Tiote

Gervinho, Lacina Traore (sub Drogba)

The Elephants’ state of mind ahead of their second group match against Tunisia is the main news in the Ivorian sporting media. ‘Supersport’ says Ivory Coast’s boss Sabri Lamouchi and his team had a two hour discussion during which the former French player expressed his discontent following their poor performance against Togo. “This is the worst game we displayed since I have been in charge” Lamouchi told his star players. The paper concludes by saying Drogba and co. are no less motivated after this self-criticism. Moreover, City’s Yaya Toure hopes this time will be the best. He told journalists that their key goal is to win all their matches “We’re here in order to play six finals and win them all”.
‘Nord-Sud’ says Tunisia’s coach Samir Trabelsi and his side are not intimidated by the Ivorian big names. He says his men are ready for the game and will play without a complex. ‘L’Expression’ has a flash back to Ivory Coast’s pale performance in their inaugural Nation’s Cup match. The article’s author says that Lamouchi did not put the right men at the right place even though he had limited option as far as Kolo Toure and Souleymane Bamba are concerned; he could have included Tiote in the starting eleven in order to provide a solid bulwark in the midfield. It goes on to denounce Lamouchi’s lack of authority over his men. For the paper, it’s hard to believe that he failed to give a convincing strategy to change the course of the game. The team should embody vivacity, combativeness, solidarity and realism if they want to win the competition, suggests the paper.

It wasn’t the perfect start for the Elephants – but perhaps it was par for the course – another Ivory Coast win and another far from convincing performance. Didier Drogba’s contribution in particular was worrying – at least there’s room for improvement. Yaya Toure scored quickly on eight minutes from a Gervinho cross, and he later struck the post, but the Elephants didn’t seal the match, leaving Togo free to equalise on half-time. They obviously won’t be keeping the clean sheets they famously did at the last finals. Fans had to wait until for the last two minutes for Gervinho to score the winner.

Here I go, day-dreaming again…but if I were manager I would be thinking about which strategies and lineups would expose other teams’ weaknesses, and allow Les Elephants to capitalize, and hopefully secure victory at this year’s African Cup of Nations.

I have been working on some lineups and have outlined them below using graphics. I have included a few players, which are less proven, but feel they are ready to make a big impression at this year’s cup.

Les Elephants’ firepower is what should carry them through this tournament. I am not discarding the immaculate defense (which saw no goals conceded in open play throughout the competition last time round), but feel the power and strength of the offensive players is the key in the team.

Formation 1: 4 – 3 – 3

Subs: Yeboah, Boka, Lolo, Romaric, Zokora, Kalou, Gervinho, Bony, Kone

This formation is about as defensive as it gets when it comes to my choices for the cup. With star goalkeeper Copa, and four solid defenders at the back, as well as two rocks in midfield (Yaya and Tiote), it seems no team can break them down. Up front I have chosen the speedy Gradel and skillful Doumbia to assist Drogba with goal scoring. Kalou and Gervinho would be first off the bench depending on how the team is playing, and whom the opposition is. It is very difficult to leave these two players out, but I am so confident in the front line.

Formation 2:
3 – 1 – 3 – 3

Subs: Yeboah, Boka, Lolo, Romaric, Zokora, Ya Konan, Bony, Kone, Traore

Formation 2 offers a more narrow shape down the middle of midfield and defense, allowing Yaya Toure to play a free role and hopefully produce some goal scoring opportunities for the strikers. With Kalou and Gradel on each wing, their speed should cause problems for oppositions. Up front I have gone for Gervinho, Doumbia and Drogba, which all possess skill and speed, as well as an eye for goal. Possible subs could be Bony or Kone for Drogba.

Formation 3:
3 – 1 – 3 – 3 (alternate)

Subs: Yeboah, Boka, Lolo, Romaric, Zokora, Traore, Bony, Kone, Drogba

My third formation focuses on spreading the midfielders across the park as a first line of defense, as well as an attacking unit. I have pulled Ya Konan back to a wide midfield role in order to support Yaya and Kalou. Although it is not his preferred position, I think his strength and skill could be effective there. Tiote’s main job is to hold the ball up and create quick attacks, as well as guard the three-man defense.

Formation 4:

3 – 1 – 3 – 1 – 2

Subs: Yeboah, Boka, Lolo, Romaric, Zokora, Traore, Bony, Kone, Kalou

This formation really spreads key players up the middle of the pitch. The idea here is to use these skillful players to play a short passing game and weave in and out of the opposition’s team. Ya Konan will play in the hole with Yaya behind him, and Tiote backing them both up. Bony is the first choice sub for Gervinho, Gradel or Ya Konan.

Formation 5:
4 – 2 – 4

Subs: Yeboah, Boka, Lolo, Romaric, Zokora, Gervinho, Bony, Kone, Kalou

This is a stretched formation with four players placed up front. The strength and skill of the two-man midfield should be enough to control play in the middle of midfield. The packed defense should work well together to stop any threats. Up front the four attackers will combine well to cause the opposition problems.

Formation 6:
4 – 2 – 4 (alternate)

Subs: Yeboah, Boka, Lolo, Romaric, Zokora, Traore, Bony, Kone, Gradel

Formation 6 balances defense and attack, with Yaya and Tiote holding the midfield together on their own. I am relying on a strong partnership between these players, so a lot of responsibility rests in their hands! Pace and power up front should exploit other teams’ defenses.

The Elephants’ arrival in South Africa ahead of the 2013 Nation’s Cup is the main news in the Ivorian sporting media. ‘L’Inter’ says that after a ten days campi in Abu Dhabi, Lamouchi’s squad have arrived in Rusterburg, South Africa, where they will start their group matches against Emmanuel Adebayor’s Togo. If for the Ivorian manager the team is irreproachable as far as their physical form is concerned, tactical adjustment will be made before facing Togo, says the article’s author. Sabri concludes by saying that during the Ivoirians’ unique preparation test against Egypt, the team showed gaps in the midfield as well as a lack of combativeness in the defense.
‘Supersport’ says that the inexhaustible Elephants’ captain Drogba expresses his. conference “Now everybody expects something great from us, and we hope to give our country the best of ourselves. Our team is able to perform well this year and it would be fantastic to win. To be honest, we’re fed up of losing every time”.
‘Le jour plus’ says Arsenal’s Gervinho told the media that his side should not think about the final for the moment. He says they have to be focused on each game, being collective and helpful to each other throughout the competition. “We have learned a lot from the final lost to Zambia in the penalty shoot out last year and we’re aware we should avoid the same mistakes, says the player.
‘Le Patriote’ says Kasimpasa’s midfielder Kafoumba Coulibaly is more optimistic about the competition’s outcome. The twenty-seven-old says they had bad luck last year in Gabon, but he’s certain that the trophy will go to Abidjan this time.

Ivory Coast came from a goal down in this important friendly ahead of the African Cup of Nations in South Africa later this month. Gervinho scored twice, once from the spot, while Lancina Traore and Didier Ya Konan completed the score. A good confidence booster against our long time foes, but not 100% convincing especially at the back.

Starting XI
Copa, Kolo, Zokora (c), Razak, Tiote, Gervinho, Gradel, Tiene, Traore Lacina, Eboue, Bamba

Squad
Goal keepers
1 BARRY BOUBACAR (Lokeren, Belgium)
2 BADRA Li SANGARE (IAFC)
3 DANIEL YEBOAH (Dijon, France)
Defenders
4 BAMBA SOULEMAN (Trazbonspor, Turkey)
5 ARTHUR BOKA (Stuttgart, Germany)
6IMAEL TRAORE (Stade Brest, France)
7EBOUE EMMANUEL (Galatasaray, Turkey)
8 LOLO IGOR (FC Kuban Krasnodar, Russia)
9TIENE SIAKA (PSG, France)
10 TOURE KOLO ABIB (Manchester City, England)
Midfield
11 GRADEL MAX (AS St-Etienne, France)
12 Tiote Cheick Ismael (New Castele, England)
13 ROMARIC N’DRI KOFFI ( Saragossa, Spain)
14 RAZAK ABDUL (Manchester City, England)
15 TOURE YAYA GNEGNERI (Manchester City, England)
16YA KONAN DIDIER (Hannover 96, Germany)
17 ZOKORA DIDIER (Trazbonspor, Turkey)
Forwards
18 SALOMON KALOU (OSC Lille, France)
19 BONY WILFRIED (Vitesse Arhnem, The Netherlands)
20 DROGBA DIDIER (Shanghai Shenhua FC, China)
21 AROUNA KONE (Wigan, England)
22 TRAORE LACINA (Anzhi Makhachkala, Russia)
23 YAO KOUASSI GERVAIS (Arsenal, England)