Ivory Coast have appeared in the World Cup finals three times in the history, but they have not come close to winning the trophy. Despite possessing a star-studded squad that includes the likes of Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, they have not even won the African cup of nations.
Drogba, who is expected to make one final appearance in a major tournament, is the perfect man to lead Ivory Coast to success in the upcoming World Cup 2014 according to Ivory Coast manager Sabri Lamouchi. Even though Drogba has not announced that he will retire from international football after this tournament, it is expected to be the final swansong for the 35-year-old.
He is currently playing his football with Galatasaray, but he has said on several occasions that he still can carry on playing at the top level for several more years. After the recent fallout with Lamouchi, Drogba appears to have made up with the manager. He is expected to be picked for the World Cup 2014 as the captain of the team. Lamouchi has come out in praise of the striker, who has 60 goals in 98 appearances for the team. Even though he won almost everything at club level, Drogba remains trophyless at international level.
He has the chance to put it right in Brazil according to Lamouchi.
“For sure, the World Cup is going to be his last and he’ll want to achieve. For the Ivory Coast it is the third time to be at the World Cup and for this third adventure there is a sense that nothing is impossible. It’s not complicated. Didier Drogba propels Ivorian football and the Ivory Coast team. He is an icon, not only in Abidjan and elsewhere in the country but also across Africa. He’s a good professional, who contributes his part of the collective. He can be a big factor,” said Lamouchi.