Guéla Doué vividly remembers his initiation into the Ivorian national team, not for the football, but for a light-hearted moment that took social media by storm.
The Strasbourg right-back found himself at the centre of viral attention after being filmed dancing the logobi — not once, but twice — as part of his hazing ritual with the Elephants.
Speaking on the show La DA alongside club teammates Dilane Bakwa and Ismaël Doukouré, the 21-year-old recounted the memorable experience.
While most players are only required to perform one initiation dance, Doué was asked to repeat the performance — all because of his younger brother, Désiré Doué.
“Normally, we only dance once for hazing. But I was told I had to do it a second time… because of my brother Désiré!” Guéla explained with a smile.
The playful punishment followed a striking moment just days earlier, when Désiré, now a French international with Paris Saint-Germain, scored twice against Côte d’Ivoire while playing for France’s U23 side.
The younger Doué’s brace against his father’s homeland prompted some gentle teasing at his older brother’s expense.
The logobi dance, once a cultural mainstay among Ivorian youth in the early 2010s, has since faded from popularity. But for members of the Ivorian diaspora raised in France, like Guéla, it remains a nostalgic throwback to childhood.
Being asked to perform it twice in front of seasoned internationals was a moment both humbling and humorous.
Yet the story goes beyond a viral video and fraternal banter. For Guéla Doué, the hazing moment underscored a much deeper commitment — one that has been in his heart from the beginning.
“Ever since I was little, I always wanted to play for Côte d’Ivoire,” he said. “It was clear in my head. I told my father, and it was a great source of pride.”
Now with five international caps, Doué’s dedication to representing the Elephants has already yielded defining moments.
Chief among them is his decisive goal against Uruguay in a 2-1 victory during only his second appearance for the national team in March 2024 — a performance that marked the true beginning of his international journey.
Despite the teasing prompted by his brother’s heroics in a rival shirt, Guéla Doué has never wavered in his allegiance.
His emotional bond with Côte d’Ivoire runs deep, a choice rooted in heritage, family, and identity.
The pledge he made with his feet on the dancefloor served as both a humorous nod to the past and a symbolic affirmation of the path he’s chosen.
For Guéla, the pride of wearing the Ivorian jersey far outweighs any light-hearted hazing.
His ambition now is to continue building on his early success, strengthening his place in the national setup and contributing to Côte d’Ivoire’s growing resurgence on the international stage.
Le bizutage de Guéla Doué en Côte d’Ivoire… quoi de mieux qu’un Logobi pour fêter son arrivée avec les Éléphants ? 😂🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/UHhVkEPEUG
— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) March 25, 2024
