Salomon Kalou, former Chelsea player and Ivory Coast national team legend, shared insights with Dounia Mesli, special correspondent from Africa Top Sports at AFCON 2023. Kalou, reflecting on the Elephants’ journey in the tournament, expressed optimism about the quarter-final match against Mali scheduled for Saturday, February 3, in Bouaké.
When asked about the key to Ivory Coast’s success in the 2015 AFCON, Kalou attributed it to the group spirit, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective determination.
He drew parallels with the current squad, acknowledging that experience and team cohesion would play pivotal roles in the ongoing campaign.
Reflecting on Ivory Coast’s challenging match against Equatorial Guinea and subsequent qualification for the quarter-finals at the expense of Senegal, Kalou acknowledged the importance of Morocco’s contribution.
He highlighted the tough situation where elimination seemed imminent but praised Morocco for fielding their first team, granting the Elephants a second chance.
Kalou expressed sympathy for Senegal, a strong team exiting the tournament in the round of 16.
When evaluating the overall level of AFCON 2023, Kalou commended it as an exceptional competition, arguably the best organized by CAF.
He appreciated the quality of matches played on pristine pitches and expressed hope for Ivory Coast’s success in the tournament.
Looking ahead to the quarter-final clash with Mali, Kalou anticipated a challenging match due to Mali’s impressive performance.
However, he asserted that Ivory Coast’s extensive experience in major competitions would be the determining factor, emphasizing their familiarity with high-pressure situations.
Responding to questions about the departure of coach Jean-Louis Gasset, Kalou dismissed it as a decisive factor, attributing the Elephants’ success to the players taking responsibility and reacting positively after the coaching change.
In conclusion, Kalou firmly believed that Ivory Coast’s experience would be the differentiating factor against Mali, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to navigate the match and progress to the semi-finals at AFCON 2023.
