Ivory Coast vs Morocco Preview

 

World Cup Qualification 2014 (Africa)

 

Ivory Coast

0 vs 0

Morocco

Pre Match
September 7, 2013 6:00 PM WAT
Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny — Abidjan

 

Cote D’Ivoire v Morocco Preview: Elephants aim to pacify local fans

After a 4-1 defeat against Mexico in a friendly last month, the Ivorian team will face a rather cold reception from fans at the Felicia on Saturday

By Kingsley Kobo

Getty Image

PROBABLE LINEUPS

COTE D'IVOIRE Copa Bamba,Boka,Siaka Yaya,Tiote, Ya,Serrey Gervinho,Kalou,Drogba

MOROCCO Lamyaghri Chakir Chakir, Benatia, El Adoua, El Kaoutari El Kaoutari Hermach, El Ahmadi Amrabat Belhanda, Assaidi El Hamadoui

With 13 points claimed from five games, Cote D’Ivoire lead Group C and have booked their place in the knockout stage of the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifying which begins next month. However, the team faces criticism back home, especially from local fans. Following their 4-1 loss to Mexico at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, the entire outfit and coach Sabri Lamouchi have faced disparaging remarks from pundits and supporters, many of whom have suggested reforms and a new coach.
Dominating Morocco in a fashionable style will probably pacify some frustrated fans but may not be enough to unseat the doubt and waning hopes for their onetime beloved Elephants.
Morocco held the star-studded Ivorian team to a 2-2 draw in the first leg played in June 2012 in Marrakech. They have indicated that they will keep up the fight, despite playing away. Morocco want to prove they are a side to be reckoned with as well on the continent, which will usher them onto preparation for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, that the Kingdom will be hosting.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Cote D’Ivoire and Morocco were in the same Group A at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt, with the Ivorians winning 1-0
  
  
• Kolo Toure, who scored Cote D’Ivoire’s second goal against Morocco in the first leg, no longer receives call ups from the team.
  
• The Elephants vice captain Didier Zokora absconded from the team’s hotel on Wednesday after he was stripped of the captain band
  
• Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi says it is always a pleasure facing Cote D’Ivoire because of the stars in the team and their rich experience
  
• The Lions of Atlas will be facing an Ivorian defence without injured Gosso Gosso Jean Jacques and Didier Zokora, who departed the team’s hotel a day ago
  

• Morocco officials have been trying to rally North African nationals in the Ivorian commercial capital Abidjan to help support them by attending the game on Saturday ----------------- goal.com