Ivorians’ Afcon title defence one point away
BOUAKÉ, Ivory Coast: A draw will be enough for the Ivory Coast in their final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone here today to qualify for Gabon 2017 and defend their title, but coach Michel Dussuyer has set his sights on victory to seal their place in style.
“Les Eléphants” sit atop Group I with five points from three games, one more than the Leone Stars, who must upset the Ivorians to reach the finals of the biennial championship for the first time since 1996.
Yet again, the Ivorians will be without England- based midfielder Yaya Toure, who has played no part in the qualifiers, but Dussuyer is convinced he has enough quality at his disposal while a meeting over the international future of the Manchester City enforcer has been scheduled in the ensuing days.
“I have to talk with Yaya Toure. What I can say is that we will have a meeting soon to discuss his future with the national team. I think everyone is waiting for the decision,” the Frenchman told the Ivorian Football Federation website.
The previous meeting between the two sides in the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt last September ended goalless, an encounter Dussuyer believes was a lesson well learnt for his youthful team.
“The Ivorian team knows much about Sier ra Leone. We know that they are an organised team. They don’t score that much and do not concede either. They have a couple of foreign-based players who have some experience.
“They have a team that is coming to Bouake to try to clinch a historic qualification. It is a team to be observed to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
“We hope to qualify for the Afcon and that requires a positive result. The objective is to seek victory in this match and also finish top of our group.”
The Frenchman will be counting on youngsters Franck Kessie, Serges Nguessan and Victorien Agban to hold the fort in the middle with veteran Serey Die also out due to injury.
“It is true that Serey will be missed. He was injured in April and has not been competitive since then. I left him out to wait until he recovers completely.
“We must trust these young players. There is also the return of Cheick Doukoure and Ismael Diomande, who have an Afcon appearance behind them. They are young but have some wealth of experience.”
In attack, Max Gradel is back while evergreen Gervinho is also part of the squad.
The Ivorians have qualified for every Afcon since 2006, losing in the final twice, in 2006 and 2012, before finally landing the title in 2015 by beating neighbours Ghana 9-8 on penalties.
Meanwhile, Liberia have a slight edge as they take on Tunisia away in a Group A qualifier in Monastir tomorrow.
Lone Stars coach James Salinsah Debbah has named a 27-man squad for the clash.
Liberia share top spot with Tunisia on 10 points, the West Africans having the edge after a 1-0 win in the reverse meeting between the two sides last September in Monrovia.
The Monastir clash is one of the top-liners on the final day of qualifying as victory for either side will hand them the group’s automatic ticket to Gabon.
The Lone Stars almost blew the chances of qualification after giving up a two-goal lead to settle for a 2-2 draw with Togo in the penultimate fixture last June at home which saw “Les Eperviers” move to eight points and remain in contention. – ANA