IVORY COAST: A KOLO TOURÉ PROBLEM AMONG THE ELEPHANTS?

Ivory Coast’s victory over Senegal in the first leg of the 2014 World Cup playoffs didn’t completely overshadow the ongoing issues in their locker room. Liverpool defender Kolo Touré expressed discontent at not being included in the starting lineup against Senegal, with a close associate sharing Touré’s frustration and stating, “Kolo is not very well in the head. He wonders how he could have spent the entire meeting on the bench.” This has sparked speculation about Touré’s relationship with coach Sabri Lamouchi, especially since it’s not the first time he has found himself on the bench. There are hints of tension dating back to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), where Touré was also benched, and post-elimination, he was among the players critical of the coach. The recent decision to leave him out again raises questions about the dynamics within the team.