Yaya Touré Eyes Crucial Victory as Ivory Coast Face DR Congo in Kinshasa
Kinshasa — Ivory Coast captain Yaya Touré has issued a rallying cry ahead of Saturday’s high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against DR Congo, urging his teammates to seize the moment and return home with all three points.
The Elephants face a tough test in Kinshasa, where they take on a revitalised DR Congo side with whom they share second place in Group D. Both nations sit on three points after two matches, trailing group leaders Cameroon.
With qualification to the 2015 AFCON finals in Morocco far from guaranteed, Touré is keenly aware of what’s at stake—not just for the team, but for his own personal journey in international football.
“Maybe I’ll stop playing in three or four years,” the Manchester City midfielder said. “But for now, I’m still here, still pushing myself. This match against Congo is extremely important—not just for me, but for the entire team.”
Touré stressed that although the match in Kinshasa is not a final, it could shape the outcome of their qualification campaign.
“We know we still have three more matches to go, but this one is key. We didn’t travel here to settle—we came for a result, a result that can help us in the return leg back home,” he added.
Ivory Coast are under pressure to deliver after a stuttering start to their campaign. A 2–1 win over Sierra Leone offered a much-needed boost, but that was followed by a humbling 4–1 defeat to Cameroon that has raised questions about the team’s cohesion and defensive resilience.
The trip to Kinshasa represents a significant challenge. The Leopards, coached by Florent Ibenge, have shown defensive steel and attacking flair, having already dispatched Nigeria and Sudan in earlier fixtures. Ibenge has urged the Congolese public to get behind the team, further underlining the hostile environment the Elephants will face.
Touré, however, remains unfazed.
“These are the kinds of matches where experience counts. We know the atmosphere will be intense, but we’re focused. We know what we’re here for,” he said.
The return leg is scheduled for next Wednesday in Abidjan at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, giving the Ivorians little margin for error. A loss in Kinshasa could place immense pressure on the team ahead of that home fixture.
Touré’s leadership and composure will be vital if Ivory Coast are to navigate this tricky double-header and keep their qualification hopes on course.
With three group matches remaining, both Ivory Coast and DR Congo know the coming days could define their road to Morocco. For Yaya Touré, it’s not just about football—it’s about legacy, pride, and proving once again that the Elephants still belong among Africa’s elite.
