2015 AFCON – Côte d’Ivoire vs Guinea: High Stakes in Malabo
Côte d’Ivoire, one of Africa’s most talented yet often underachieving teams, begins its 2015 Africa Cup of Nations campaign today against a resilient Guinea side in Group D, based in Malabo.
The Elephants Under Pressure
Since winning their only AFCON title in 1992, the Ivorians have often entered as tournament favorites but have repeatedly fallen short — including a quarter-final exit in 2013. Now under the guidance of Hervé Renard, the man who led Zambia to the title in 2012, expectations remain high despite internal federation doubts.
Renard’s challenge: to finally convert Côte d’Ivoire’s golden generation into champions.
Without Didier Drogba, all eyes are on:
Gervinho (AS Roma), known for his speed and dribbling
Wilfried Bony (Manchester City), a proven goalscorer
Yaya Touré, the 2014 African Footballer of the Year, and the undisputed midfield general
These three must rise to the occasion if the Elephants are to break their trophy drought.
Guinea’s Determined Return
Guinea returns to AFCON after missing out in 2013, qualifying despite major adversity — forced to play all matches away from home due to the Ebola crisis. The Syli Nationale, led by coach Michel Dussuyer, showed resilience by edging out Togo and Uganda in a tough qualifying group.
Key players to watch:
Ibrahima Traoré (Borussia Mönchengladbach), the captain and heart of the team
Seydouba Soumah, who scored a memorable hat-trick vs Togo
Kevin Constant, returning to add stability and experience
Though seen as underdogs, Guinea has the grit and quality to upset big teams — and they’ll be out to prove that the 5-2 friendly loss to Senegal was just a slip.
What’s at Stake
In a tight and unpredictable Group D also featuring Cameroon and Mali, any dropped points could be costly. A win today would give either side a crucial advantage in the race for the quarter-finals.
Kickoff: 4 PM GMT
Venue: Estadio de Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Prediction: An intense, open match expected. Ivory Coast’s firepower gives them the edge, but Guinea’s momentum and team unity could surprise.
