™Outright Odds: eighty/1
Group C Winners: 9/1
The Ivory Coast topped their qualifying crew however the margins among luck and failure had been so excessive it came down to a single penalty kick with just four mins of qualification closing.
In the penultimate qualifying tournament, the Ivorians needed a victory against Cameroon to be certain qualification, however they lost 3-2 in Abidjan. Their subsequent three-1 away win at Sudan might be meaningless if World Cup mainstays Cameroon beat Egypt. The event was once all square at 1-1 until eventually Cameroon had been offered a penalty 4 mins into harm time. A winning spot kick may send them by but Pierre Wome hit the outdoors of the post and the Ivory Coast had been heading to Germany.
The Ivory Coast are arguably the most powerful African side taking part inside the finals, with Cameroon, Nigeria, Morocco and Senegal all failing to qualify. However, they may be also pitted within the toughest institution and can want to be at their appropriate in opposition t normal favourites reminiscent of Argentina and Holland.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba leads the the front line and contributed nine goals as his kingdom qualified for the primary time in eight Bola Tangkas Online makes an attempt. Arsenal defender Kolo Toure is the maximum recognisable defender but the staff oozes fine from players ordinarily plying their industry in France.
Partnering Drogba in assault is Lens forward Aruna Dindane at the same time playmaker Bonaventure Kalou, from Paris St Germain and St. Ettienes Didier Zakora are all able to making an affect. In defence Toure is joined by means of Abdoulaye Meite from Marseille, Strasbourgs Etienne Boka and veteran Cyrille Domoraud, now enjoying for Creteil.
Being positioned in this type of complicated qualifying neighborhood, the Ivorians will gain very much from having a trainer of Henri Michels stature. The enormously experienced coach is in can charge of his sixth nationwide workforce following stints at France, Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. With two decades adventure to call upon, he's going to be certain Drogba and co. are wholly geared up for the challenge forward.
While the crew are powerful in such a lot places, they may be additionally probe to a loss of attention. This turned into highlighted in their qualifier opposed to Cameroon which may have seen them omit out on a spot in the finals. There also are doubts raised on their means to play away from residence after qualifying defeats to Egypt and Cameroon and a goalless draw with Libya.
Recommended Bet:
Senegal burst onto the world scene 4 years ago after they beat an less than-par France 1-zero inside the opening recreation so the Ivory Coast ought to almost certainly do the identical. If they may do the unthinkable and beat either Argentina or Holland, a point in their last in shape towards Serbia & Montenegro would see them via to the closing sixteen.
Ivory Coast vs Serbia & Montenegro draw @ 5/2