Zokora, the Ivorian maestro who has coasted through life
For some he is ‘The Maestro’; for four little kids, he is dad; for two young women, he is past; and for those who spot him in a cafe, he is the guy with fancy cars and expensive watches.
Didier Zokora, a man who has marshalled the Ivory Coast midfield for 15 years, has had a rollercoaster life. The 34-year-old FC Pune City captain is now finding out what it means to play football in India.
Somewhere in between all these, he played three World Cups, reached an Africa Cup of Nations final and found out how it feels to be in a formidable team, and yet be one step shy.
“We reached the final of Africa Cup of Nations in 2012, but lost (to Zambia in penalties). And when I stopped playing for the national team, me and (Didier) Drogba, the next year Ivory Coast won the Cup (2014),” said Zokora. “I was like, ‘Oh s***. 15 years I played and never a trophy for Ivory Coast and now when I retire, they won. It’s life, you know.”
His long professional career — it has taken him to Belgium, France, England, Turkey and India — has ensured he does not have to toil in poverty like the 46.3 per cent Ivory Coast citizens in an otherwise fast rising economy.
“You know, when you play for 17 years in the top leagues, these are some things you get. I love watches, I love cars. I guess I have 12 or 20 watches,” said Zokora, sporting a Rolex gold watch. “It’s good when you go out and someone gives a compliment.”
“Yes, I have a few big, big cars,” he laughed. “But then, if you don’t play well on the pitch, it doesn’t matter. Whether you have a Lamborghini or a Ferrari, people don’t care.”
“When I look back, I say, ‘thank you god for my career’. I have never got injured, never. When I was in Africa, young, it was tough. Then I moved to Belgium, France, England, Turkey, now India. Maybe I’ll stay in India and end my career here.”
ROUGH RIDE
But not everything has been scripted in heaven for the midfielder. In October, Zokora announced his divorce to his second wife, Sery Dorcas, a former Miss Ivory Coast.
“My life was good. My family was good, you know. I was married in Istanbul. Now I’m separated. But that’s life, I’m happy. I expect to see my kids at the Christmas party.”
Zokora has four kids, two from his first marriage, a union, which according to local press, ended with an alimony in the region of 4 million euros (approx `28.5 crore). “I play for my kids.”