Scorpions looking to find their sting

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast

Less than two months after their painful elimination from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in the quarterfinals at the hands of Nigeria, Ivory Coast are competing again in the third round of 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

On this occasion, the Elephants host Gambia on Saturday at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, kick-off at 7pm.

Following their home win against Tanzania and their draw in Morocco, Sabri Lamouchi’s men find themselves in the lead in Group C and should manage a win at the Félicia against the minnows of the pool, although they still remain wary.

“We must win all our matches. And even if Gambia are supposed to be weaker, this remains a difficult game to negotiate. We will have to remain concentrated and respect our opponent,” warned Ivoirian striker Salomon Kalou.

With just one point on the scoreboard after two rounds (a draw against Morocco and a defeat in Tanzania), Italian coach Luciano Mancini’s Scorpions have just suffered a double defeat in a friendly against the modest Mauritania.

And the road ahead seems long for the Gambians, before they can aspire to the first finals of an international tournament of their history.

In view of this tricky clash, Mancini has decided to do without his captain Mustapha Jarju, as per his counterpart Sabri Lamouchi who has made the trip to Abidjan without the charismatic leader of the Elephants, Didier Drogba.

Also missing in the Ivoirian camp are Emmanuel Eboué, Siaka Tiéné, Igor Lolo and Romaric Ndri, who were not retained, as well as the injured Seydou Doumbia.

The two nations have met once before in 1984 for the 1986 World Cup qualifiers; both won their home games, with the Elephants dominating convincingly in Abidjan 4-0 and a closer call for the Scorpions in Bakau, 3-2.