Yaya Touré: “We Are Not Favorites, But We Want to Go Far”
Ahead of Ivory Coast’s opening match at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea, Yaya Touré, the star and captain of the Elephants, shared his thoughts on the competition, his responsibilities, and his hopes for this new-look Ivorian side.
Despite Côte d’Ivoire’s dominance over Guinea in recent years, Touré remains cautious yet optimistic:
“We are not favorites but we will show that we want to go far.”
As one of the most experienced players in African football, Touré embraces the pressure that comes with leadership:
“I’ve had enormous responsibilities for years. I live with them every day, even as a father. Today, it’s above all a source of enormous pride. My goal is to lead this team forward.”
Aware of the weight of expectation and the unpredictable nature of tournament football, the four-time African Footballer of the Year emphasized humility:
“Being the favorite is also scary, but we know that matches are decided on the pitch.”
With Didier Drogba now retired from international duty, a new generation of Ivorian talent—Bony, Lacina Traoré, Doumbia, Kalou—has stepped forward. Touré sees this as a chance for renewal:
“We want to show that Côte d’Ivoire is a great football country. The most important thing is to defend our colors as best we can and to please the people.”
Follow the Ivory Coast vs. Guinea match and full AFCON 2015 coverage live on Africa Top Sports and via the Apple or Android apps.
