Before the start of the third group-stage matches of the AFCON 2023, former Burkinabé international, Alain Traoré, revealed a major concern about the tactical scheme of the Ivory Coast. On the encrypted channel Canal+, he believes that this issue does not bode well for the host country.
Ivory Coast is closely followed in the AFCON 2023, which it is hosting. Already as the host nation, expectations are high. In two matches, the team led by Jean-Louis Gasset, the French coach of the Elephants, secured one victory and suffered one defeat. This Monday, the qualification for the knockout stages is at stake against the Group A leader, Equatorial Guinea. Before this decisive match, opinions are varied on what needs improvement for Ivory Coast to avoid humiliation that could significantly impact the competition. In this context, Alain Traoré, the former midfielder of the Burkina Faso Stallions, opened up.
A problem in midfield?
On Canal+ platforms, the man with 21 goals in 66 appearances (2006-2021) with Burkina Faso shared his analysis of Ivory Coast’s weaknesses. “The problem with Ivory Coast is playing with 3 midfielders who have the same profile. Seko (Fofana) starts from so far back that he loses his clarity in front of the goal. A creative midfielder is needed,” says Alain Traoré, referring to the trio of Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, and the midfielder from Al Nassr.
According to the analyses of the former Lorient player in Ligue 1, Jean-Louis Gasset is not establishing a attacking team. It must be said that the Ivorian midfield is physically imposing with Sangaré and Fofana, who are brawlers in recovery. Against Guinea-Bissau in the opening match of the AFCON 2023, the job was done without much difficulty given the opposing team. However, with the physical presence of the Nigeria Super Eagles, goal-scoring opportunities were rare, emphasizing the importance for Jean-Louis Gasset to find a player capable of holding the ball, provoking, and delivering key passes, according to Alain Traoré.
Ivory Coast against Equatorial Guinea
At 5:00 PM GMT this Monday, the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium will resonate with the rhythm of the big clash between the Elephants and the Nzalang Nacional, who are not merely making up the numbers in this AFCON 2023. Announced as an outsider in Group A, the Equatorial Guinean team leads the group and has their fate in their hands for a qualification to the round of 16. The opponent of Ivory Coast for this third match is far from an easy task, and they will have to give their all. In any case, this 34th edition of the Africa Cup promises a lot of surprises.
If Jean-Louis Gasset wants to avoid failure, he will truly have to prove himself tactically and establish an attacking team. In the pre-match press conference this Sunday, he appeared confident and announced having the ideal plan in place with the returns of Sebastien Haller and Simon Adingra. “There was a plan against Nigeria. It didn’t work well against Nigeria’s strengths. We couldn’t get around them. We had two opportunities, and that’s where we needed to open the score. Sebastien Haller’s return will be good for the group. But it’s not a plan B.“
“We know that if we win, we will qualify.”
“Like all matches, we will attack to win. We are currently in 3rd place, and our destiny is in our hands. We know that if we win, we will qualify. Their playing system does not change. A solid, well-oiled team. Especially on the left side. We know the type of match we will have to play and, above all, be effective, score goals as quickly as possible,” said the coach of the Ivory Coast national team.
We will see if there will be any changes in the team and especially if the Ivorian team will show a convincing performance, worthy of a favorite in the AFCON, as Opta highlighted before the start of the competition.
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