The Ivorian legend Didier Drogba has made revelations about the striker Jean-Philippe Krasso. Scorer of the decisive goal in the opening match of AFCON 2023 against Guinea-Bissau last Saturday, the current number of the Elephants received blessings and advice from Drogba before the start of the competition.
After the impressive victory of the Ivory Coast Elephants last Saturday in the opening match of the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea-Bissau, Didier Drogba shared his impressions with NCI channel. In the debrief of this match that launches the adventure of the Ivorians in this AFCON 2023, the former team scorer shared an anecdote about the players, especially Jean-Philippe Krasso, who scored the second goal after a magnificent play. A seasoned veteran of the competition, nicknamed DD, passed on tips to his successors in the squad, where the atmosphere is currently upbeat.
Drogba’s anecdote about Krasso
After discussing the aspects to be corrected in this match, which saw Ivory Coast dominate despite some lulls, especially in defense, Didier Drogba highlighted the positive points of the match. Speaking of positive aspects, he did not fail to emphasize that of Jean-Philippe Krasso (26 years old), who has been playing for Red Star Belgrade since last year. Indeed, starting as the lead striker in place of the injured Sébastien Haller, the Ivorian international since 2022 (12 matches, 4 goals) had a remarkable performance. With Drogba’s famous jersey on his back, Krasso fought like a devil.
At the NCI microphone, the former Chelsea striker shared the exchange he had with JP Krasso before the opening match of AFCON 2023. “When I arrived at the hotel to see the players, the first thing they said to tease Jean-Philippe Krasso was: ‘The old man, he dared (to wear your number 11)’. And I told them, in life, you have to dare; it’s just a number. It’s true, there’s a story behind it, but it’s up to you to create your own story with this number. It belongs to you,” Didier Drogba revealed.
Drogba’s applied advice
In the continuation of his debrief, the former Ivorian international (106 caps for 66 goals between 2002 and 2014) revealed his advice to Jean-Louis Gasset’s players, which they applied. “I crossed paths with them in the corridor as I was going up, and I told them to shoot. Feint a shot and then shoot because the opponent is excited, thinking it’s an opening match, I have to tackle, I have to save the action. So feint a shot and then clarity to place the ball. That’s what Seko (Fofana) did, and I was very happy, very proud because they were effective,” he emphasized.
“For Jean-Philippe Krasso, I am very pleased that he scored because he worked a lot, he ran a lot. He made runs for his teammates, lacked luck in the first half, but he never gave up, he didn’t lower his arms, and that’s what allowed him to score this beautiful goal,” concluded the legend DD 11.
In any case, Ivory Coast did the essential to breathe in the continuation of this group stage of AFCON 2024. After the victory against Guinea-Bissau, combined with the draw between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the other Guinea teams in Group A, the Elephants are at the top of the standings. Next Thursday, a victory against Victor Osimhen and his teammates will directly secure a place in the eighth-finals for the organizers of this year’s AFCON. In any case, the Ivorians hold their fate in their hands.
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