The ongoing AFCON 2023 has etched its place in the annals of African football, largely due to the remarkable performances of the host nation, Ivory Coast. As the Elephants gear up for their semi-final clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo, former Ivorian legend Gervinho, aged 36, took a moment to reflect on the team’s journey.
In an interview with RMC, Gervinho expressed his sentiments, saying, “We are unpredictable. Whatever the scenario, I want Ivory Coast to win because we are one step away from the final. (…) We qualified each time in the last minutes.
It’s stressful as an Ivorian to see that we are eliminated two minutes from the end, then that we come back to life. It gives joy and excitement.”
Having triumphed in the competition in 2015, Gervinho reminisced about the golden era when he was surrounded by football stalwarts like Yaya Touré, Kolo Touré, and Salomon Kalou.
Responding to criticism of Ivory Coast’s playing style, Gervinho adopted a light-hearted perspective, stating, “They were so used to having a team that plays football.
They have become accustomed to having good champagne; they see that there is less quality, there is not what is needed, but we still manage to move forward. There is quality in the team, but we cannot produce games, football.”
In a metaphorical analogy, Gervinho likened each match’s anthem to a chant of resilience: “We’re moving forward, but we’re qualified.” With a chuckle, he acknowledged the team’s ability to progress despite challenges.
Looking forward, Gervinho hinted at a post-AFCON period where efforts would be dedicated to rediscovering the ingredients for a more aesthetically pleasing style of football for the Ivorian squad.
As Ivory Coast continues its quest for AFCON 2023 glory, Gervinho’s laughter in the face of criticism reflects a spirit of determination and optimism within the team, emphasizing the joy derived from their unpredictable journey in the competition.
