Africa Cup of Nations 2015: Ivory Coast vs Guinea preview

January 19, 2015
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Ivory Coast vs GuineaThe number one favourites at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations start their campaign with a tricky tie against very good Guinea side.

Syli Nationale were not too impressive in the qualifiers and they will have a point to prove after the 5-2 friendly loss to Senegal.

It’s been some ten years now that Ivory Coast have had by far the strongest squad among all African sides, but the team have largely failed to live up to the billing.

While they reached three successive World Cup tournaments, the Elephants could not get past the group stage, while their Africa Cup of Nations performances have been even more disappointing.

The 1992 triumph in Senegal remains their only AFCON title up to date, and having lost the 2012 final to Zambia, the national team chiefs decided to appoint Herve Renard, the man who beat them in said match, as their new coach,

The talented manager has left out star veterans Didier Drogba, Didier Zokora and Emmanuel Eboue out, but he can still count on a star-studded squad.

With that in mind, it is hardly surprising Ivory Coast have been made 1.57 (4/7) favourites to win their opening match against Guinea.

There have been no fresh selection worries for Herve Renard, meaning he should field his strongest line-up against Syli Nationale.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Gbohouo – Aurier, K. Toure, Bertrand, Kanon – Y. Toure, Tiote – Gervinho, Kalou, Gradel – Bony.

Guinea had very little success in the aftermath of the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, when they finished as runners up, and it took them almost 30 years to return to the biggest stage.

However, Syli Nationale showed a great deal of improvement over the last ten years or so, reaching the quarter-finals of the competition in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

But, having failed to qualify for two of last three editions and crashing out in group stage in 2012, Guinea will be eager to make things right this time out, despite being placed in a very strong group.

Team’s preparations did not go as planned, given that they were hammered 5-2 by Senegal in the final warm-up fixture, but coach Michel Dussuyer hopes his side will step up when it really matters.

Star midfielder Kevin Constant was included in the squad in spite of the poor relationship with national team chiefs, and he will be the man to watch for the visiting side.

However, Ismael Bangoura and Lass Bangoura have opted against taking part at the tournament finals, and no doubt they will be sorely missed.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-4-1): N. Yattara – Sankoh, Pogba, Zayatte, Issiaga Sylla – Fofana – Conte, Soumah, Constant, I. Traore – M. Yatarra.

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