Yaya Touré Reflects on Nerve-Wracking Draw That Secured Ivory Coast’s CAN Qualification
Ivory Coast secured qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense goalless draw against Cameroon on the final day of the qualifiers. But the manner in which the Elephants approached the match — opting for a cautious, risk-averse display — left many fans and even head coach Hervé Renard visibly frustrated.
The game, played on Wednesday, was marked by nervous energy, as the Elephants looked to avoid a repeat of their 2014 World Cup heartbreak, where they were eliminated by Greece in the dying moments due to a last-minute penalty.
Speaking to RMC Info, team captain Yaya Touré admitted the match was more about survival than spectacle.
“It was a more or less tense match. Tension and anxiety took over — it was a game of nerves,” said the Manchester City midfielder. “For us, the most important thing was not to lose.”
The trauma of Brazil 2014 weighed heavily on the minds of the players. In that tournament, a late defensive lapse and a stoppage-time penalty sent the Ivorians crashing out. Touré believes that memory shaped the team’s mindset against Cameroon.
“After the experience we had at the World Cup against Greece — conceding a penalty in the last second because we were naive — I think this time we had a player called Kolo Touré, who showed a lot of experience and knew how to calm things down.”
Despite the goalless draw being enough to send Ivory Coast through, the team’s defensive posture drew criticism from supporters who hoped for a more assertive display. Yet for Yaya Touré, the result was what mattered most, especially considering the threat posed by Cameroon.
“Today, a new generation is coming through — young players who want to prove themselves in front of the crowd. But we mustn’t forget that Cameroon are formidable on the counterattack. They’re a very dangerous, very clever team,” he added.
The draw, though unspectacular, marked a significant step forward for a rebuilding Ivorian side. With qualification secured, the focus now shifts to preparing a team capable of making a deep run in the tournament — one with the balance of youthful ambition and experienced composure.
