AFCON 2015: Côte d’Ivoire Aim High Ahead of Cameroon Showdown
Côte d’Ivoire’s Elephants have landed in Cameroon with one goal in mind: victory. The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers continue on Wednesday with a high-profile Group D clash in Yaoundé, as the Elephants face off against the Indomitable Lions in what many are calling an early group-stage final.
Led by French coach Hervé Renard, the Ivorian squad held a final training session at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Omnisports Stadium on Tuesday. Spirits were high as players addressed the press ahead of the key match.
Veteran left-back Arthur Boka kept his message simple: “It will be like the other matches, a good match. We came with one intention, which is to win. I hope everything goes well tomorrow and that the party will be great.”
Forward Gervinho also exuded confidence, brushing aside concerns over squad selection: “Every coach has the choice to select the players who are there. We have to trust those who are here. There is a rivalry between the two countries in football, but we are confident going into the match.”
His teammate Salomon Kalou echoed that belief, calling the match a crucial turning point in the group.
“It’s a very important match for both Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire,” said the Hertha Berlin striker. “It’s the group final. Getting a good result in Yaoundé will give us a strong chance of qualifying. So we’re going to give it our all. Both teams have a win—this is a final before the whistle.”
Both sides come into the match with three points, having won their opening games. Cameroon defeated DR Congo, while Côte d’Ivoire edged past Sierra Leone. With group momentum and a place at Morocco 2015 at stake, the clash promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the qualifiers.
