In Africa, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire have triumphed twice at the African Cup of Nations (CAN) and are considered to be among the most important football teams on the African continent. As a result, we’ll be taking a look at the best Ivorian players of all time.
From an exclusive group of players who have made their mark on the history of their country and even that of international football, Afrique Sport unveils its selection.
The list takes into account results achieved with the Côte d’Ivoire national team in official competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, the African Cup of Nations (CAN) and the qualifiers. Club performances are also taken into account in this ranking.
The footballers who make up this list are also expected to have left an indelible mark on the history of Ivorian football and in the hearts of fervent supporters of the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire. The number of goals scored, length of time in the national team, influence on the team, charisma… were all taken into account when compiling the ranking of the 10 greatest Ivorian football players of all time.
The ranking of the best Ivorian players of all time
10. Gervinho (86 caps, 23 goals)
In 2008, Gervinho led the Ivorian team to the Olympic Games in Beijing, where Côte d’Ivoire qualified for the first time ever.
At the start of 2012, Gervinho was one of 23 Ivorians who travelled to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to take part in the African Cup of Nations. Côte d’Ivoire lost the final in a goalless draw, which Zambia won on penalties (8-7). Having played remarkably well throughout the competition, Gervinho was also selected in the team of the tournament published by CAF at the end of his country’s tournament.
9. Ibrahima Bakayoko (39 caps, 22 goals)
This attacking player was once the star of the Côte d’Ivoire national football team. He played for the national team from 1996 to 2002. During his time with the Elephants, Ibrahima Bakayoko managed to score 22 goals in 39 matches. He also made his mark at Olympique de Marseille, scoring 34 goals. After an unhappy spell at Everton in the Premier League, he returned to France.
8. Joël Tiéhi (40 caps, 25 goals)
In 1992, Joël Tiehi won the African championship with the Côte d’Ivoire national team, the Elephants. He was a gifted striker who was effective in the opposition’s goal area. During his international career from 1987 to 1999, he scored 25 goals in 40 matches played. In addition to this, this former Ivorian player also enjoyed success with clubs such as Le Havre, Montpelier and Toulouse FC.
7. Salomon Kalou (63 caps, 23 goals)
He and his older brother also grew up in the Ivorian national team. Salomon Kalou was also one of the best players of his generation. He scored 23 goals in 63 appearances for his country. The former Côte d’Ivoire international won the 2015 African Cup of Nations and played in two FIFA World Cups (2010 and 2014). In 2012, Kalou won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea FC. He currently plays for Herta Berlin in the German Bundesliga.
6. Didier Zokora (123 caps, one goal)
He is the Ivorian footballer with the most caps for the Côte d’Ivoire national team. Didier Zokora, also known as the Maestro, was capped 123 times between 2000 and 2014.
During the 2000s, this player had a significant impact on the Elephants’ team play. Although Zokora has never won the African Cup of Nations, he remains a key figure in Ivorian football. He played in France, England and Turkey before moving to India, outside the old continent.
5. Abdoulaye Traoré aka Ben Badi (40 caps, 14 goals)
Ben Badi is one of Côte d’Ivoire’s most renowned footballers of all time. He was also a key player in the national team’s victory at the 1992 African Championship in Senegal.
During his career with the national team, he scored 14 goals in 40 matches between 1986 and 1996. Although he did not enjoy a glittering international career, Abdoulaye Traoré shone in his native country. He is regarded as one of the living legends of Asec Mimosas, a club with which he also won every possible continental title.
4. Habib Kolo Toure (120 caps, 7 goals)
He is the greatest central defender in the history of Ivorian football. Habib Kolo Touré left his mark on his era. He was nicknamed the minister of defence because he convinced everyone of his qualities.
Kolo Touré wore the orange-white-and-green jersey from 2002 to 2015, making 120 appearances. Trained at the Mimosifcom Academy, he played far from Côte d’Ivoire, notably in the English Premier League. Fans of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool will no doubt remember him. He also won the 2015 CAN in Equatorial Guinea with his team.
3. Laurent Pokou (70 caps, more than 20 goals)
This Ivorian forward has left an indelible mark on the African Cup of Nations (CAN). In two editions of the CAN, he scored 14 goals, in 1968 and 1970.
Laurent Pokou is also considered one of the best footballers in the history of Côte d’Ivoire. Outside his homeland, he is also a legend with Stade Rennais in France, having contributed to the club’s success between 1974 and 1979. Although he has never won an African Cup of Nations, he remains one of Côte d’Ivoire’s all-time top scorers.
2. Didier Drogba (106 caps, 65 goals)
He holds the record for the most goals scored for the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire. During his 106 caps between 2002 and 2014, he scored 65 goals.
He is one of the biggest stars in African football. Didier Drogba was the star of the Ivorian national team’s golden generation. He is also considered by many to be the best Ivorian footballer of all time. Unfortunately, he never won the African Cup of Nations.
The Chelsea legend did, however, win the UEFA Champions League with his club in 2012. Today, he is in the running for the position of President of the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF).
1. Yaya Gnegneri Toure (102 caps, 19 goals)
Like his brother Salomon Kalou, Yaya Touré has also played for the Côte d’Ivoire national team. He is widely regarded as the best Ivorian footballer of all time. As captain of the national team, he led his team to victory at the 2015 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
He has also won the CAF African Ballon d’Or on an unprecedented four occasions. Yaya Touré is the only Ivorian player to have won a continental title with FC Barcelona before moving to the English Premier League with Manchester City, where he is now considered one of the club’s legends. Yaya Touré is also the most successful Ivorian player of all time.
The awards also place him at the top of this list. Having played 102 matches for the Côte d’Ivoire national team, he scored 19 goals between 2006 and 2015.
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