The draw for the 2014 World Cup play-offs has set up a tantalizing encounter between Ivory Coast and Senegal. This pairing brings back memories of their clash almost a year ago, where Ivory Coast emerged victorious in a dramatic battle for a place in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN).
Senegal, led by Papiss Cissé and others, now has the chance to prevent Ivory Coast, featuring stars like Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, from securing a spot in its third consecutive World Cup. The Elephants are considered favorites, given their individual talents, but both teams have struggled to convince collectively.
Senegal faces the challenge of playing both legs away from home due to a sanction imposed after incidents during their elimination from CAN 2013. The absence of their home crowd may impact the Lions, who have navigated this obstacle well so far.
Ivory Coast, despite being labeled favorites, must be cautious not to fall into the trap of assuming an easy qualification, as past experiences have shown that the favorite status doesn’t always guarantee success.
The first leg of this exciting encounter is scheduled for October 11-13, with the return leg set for November 15-19. Both teams will be vying for a coveted spot in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
