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Ivory Coast started their 2023 AFCON campaign with a win on Saturday and their display should give Kenya a lot to think about before they face off in the World Cup qualifier in June
Harambee Stars may not be at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations but they must be taking a keen interest in what is going on in Ivory Coast.
That is because two of their next opponents in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Ivory Coast and the Gambia, are participating.
It gives coach Engin Firat an opportunity not just to watch but also look at the strengths and weaknesses of the two teams who are among the three favourites to go through from Kenya’s Group F.
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Firat must have been left with plenty to ponder after Ivory Coast’s 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau in the opening match on Saturday.
Potent attack
The Ivorians possess a potent attack which the Harambee Stars defence will have to deal with and even with star man Sebastien Haller sidelined with injury and Wilfried Zaha not called for this tournament, they still made life difficult for their rivals.
Captain Seko Fofana unleashed an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box to send the expectant crowd into raptures after just four minutes and there were numerous other opportunities for the Elephants before the interval.
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Wilfried Singo directed a header over the bar before Guinea-Bissau skipper Jonas Mendes produced a stunning save to tip Fofana’s thunderbolt onto the bar.
The way the Ivorians swarmed the Guinea-Bissau box would have left Firat thinking how he will stop them when the two sides meet in Nairobi in June.
Quality midfield
Jean-Louis Gasset’s men remained on top at the start of the second period, and shortly before the hour mark, they were two to the good thanks to Krasso’s clever volleyed finish. Guinea-Bissau rarely threatened, but with just under 15 minutes remaining, Franculino Djú forced Yahia Fofana into an important stop.
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It was not just in attack, Franck Kessie also dictated proceedings in midfield which set the base for their quick start. Kessie played in a three-man midfield that also had Fofana and Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare and the same should be expected going forward.
Hope for Kenya
However, what will give Kenya hope is that the Ivorians did not look well assured at the back. They conceded a number of chances which would have turned the trajectory of the game were it not for some poor finishing from the African Wild Dogs.
It means if Stars are brave enough and apply pressure, especially at home, they have a chance of getting one or two on target if they are clinical enough.
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The West African nation have long been blessed with plenty of top talent, but with only two AFCON trophies to their name and no semi-final appearances since 2015, they have often struggled to live up to expectations.
There was plenty on Saturday for their fans to be optimistic about this year but also other things to concern them, which is good and bad news for Harambee Stars.
Over to you, Firat.
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