Gervinho is well-acquainted with the subject. A former star of the Ivory Coast national team, he revealed the difficulty that persisted in representing the Elephants.
Yao Kouassi Gervais, alias Gervinho, holds an iconic place in the world of football in Côte d’Ivoire. As the former captain of the Ivorian national football team, he celebrated victory during the 2015 AFCON.
Gervinho and the “pressure” of playing for Ivory Coast
Approaching the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in football, Gervinho shared his feelings about the stress associated with representing Ivory Coast. These statements were made during the signing of a partnership between Gervinho and TotalEnergies Marketing in Ivory Coast.
Gervinho stated at the event, “Playing for Ivory Coast is stressful. However, I feel reassured because I will not be part of those competing in the AFCON. I am confident in the performance of my younger brothers who will defend the colors of Ivory Coast.” Additionally, the former Arsenal player emphasized the importance of the role of supporting young players.
Like Gervinho, Sebastien Haller had already mentioned the anticipation in Ivory Coast. The Borussia Dortmund striker highlighted the particular enthusiasm surrounding the AFCON 2023.
Ivory Coast, a football-loving nation
In an interview broadcasted by the L-frii website, Sebastien Haller approached the upcoming competition with a thoughtful perspective. He emphasized the remarkable level of enthusiasm in the country upon his arrival, expressing the perception of a deep love for football. The country is immersed in this passion, and football is truly the center of life for its inhabitants. With the opportunity to host the AFCON with a strong team and excellent infrastructure, the idea of poor performance is unimaginable, seen as a professional fault.
The Dortmund player also shared his perspective on the fans: “Ivorians love to debate, joke. We enjoy it because they are in the stands, they create an atmosphere, they shout, sing, encourage us. It’s a unique atmosphere, an ambiance that is not found in Europe,” he added.
Thus, Sebastien Haller and his teammates will have the opportunity to win the AFCON in their own country. He also emphasized his pride in representing Ivory Coast. “Representing the national team is an added bonus, unlike in clubs where you can change every 6 months or every year. A national team represents itself, and we must be present at every moment throughout our careers. It’s an added bonus because we represent a lot of people, and naturally, it’s a pride to be there at every appointment,” he said.
A strong Ivory Coast team for AFCON 2023
Ivorian attackers seem ready to ignite the stadiums of Ivory Coast. In the last three qualifying matches for AFCON 2023, the Ivorian attack shook the net 16 times. Notably, in the match against Seychelles on November 17, the Ivorians scored 9 goals, including a brace from Karim Konaté and two decisive assists.
The victory of Jean-Louis Gasset’s men did not surprise African football enthusiasts, as Seychelles have only won two matches since 2019. Three days later, on November 20, they continued their winning streak by beating Gambia (2-0) on the second day of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
In preparation for AFCON, Jérémie Boga and his teammates handed a defeat to Kenya (5-1) on January 6. These were their 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th goals in just three matches. The Ivory Coast Elephants will kick off AFCON 2023 on January 13 against Guinea-Bissau at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro, followed by matches against Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
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