Ivory Coast to Face Greece in Pivotal World Cup Match Amid Mourning
Ivory Coast prepares to face Greece in a crucial group-stage clash with the historic opportunity to reach the World Cup last 16 for the first time. However, the Elephants enter this match clouded by grief following the recent death of Oyala Ibrahim, the younger brother of key players Yaya and Kolo Touré.
Yaya Touré, the Manchester City midfielder and captain of the Ivorian team, shared the emotional impact of his brother’s passing in his weekly column for France Football. “He was my confidant, my best friend too,” Touré wrote, expressing the deep personal loss he feels.
Oyala Ibrahim, who played for Safa Beirut SC in Lebanon, died aged 28 after battling cancer. Despite the tragedy, Yaya Touré is determined to honour his brother on the pitch. “I plan to spend the World Cup in my own bubble, so as not to spoil the party of a possible qualification for the last 16,” he said ahead of the match in Fortaleza.
A victory would mark a historic milestone for Ivory Coast, securing their first-ever progression to the knockout stages of a World Cup. Touré is resolved to dedicate that achievement to his late brother and former Barcelona player, saying simply: “Obviously, I’m going to try to get it for him.”
The match carries heavy emotional weight for the Elephants, who hope to channel their grief into a performance worthy of both their own ambitions and a heartfelt tribute.
