Côte D'Ivoire a top 10 side?

[loden]

Is anybody else impressed as hell by this African side? They were a little bit unlucky with their group, but they showed intelligence, class, and determination that definately makes them a top 10 side in my book. Great job!

[JayDelight729]

Very impressive team that deserved atleast a tie against the Netherlands.

If the team can stay together and led by Drogba, they will be the best team in Africa for the next few years. They have what it takes to be a 10-15 side, but won't get the games to actually earn that ranking.

[XaviandXabi]

when they learn how to finish maybe then will i put them up there, they are good defensivly and the midfield are good but they dont know how to play when it comes to making quick plays in the box like the top 10 teams do

[ribery57]

Is anybody else impressed as hell by this African side? They were a little bit unlucky with their group, but they showed intelligence, class, and determination that definately makes them a top 10 side in my book. Great job!

Impressed yes!

But not surprised.. Almost all of this players play in France. We know well Zokora (Saint Etienne), Bakary Koné (Nice), Yapi Yapo (Nantes), Romaric (Le Mans), Aruna Dindane (Lens), Drogba (used to play in Marseille) etc...

That's because they all play in good clubs in Europe, especially the ones now in top clubs in England.. Contrary to Tunisia or Togo whose players are in more average clubs..

[El CHarro_NEgro....]

Who are the top 10 sides?

[ribery57]

Sorry i forgot Abdoulaye Meïté (Marseille), Arthur Boka (Strasbourg); midfielders Kanga Akale (Auxerre), Kader Keita (Lille); and Bonaventure Kalou (Paris-SG)...

13 out of 23 play in France... it's more than our national team which represents our championships for 11 out of 23

[Revolt]

I would say no. A top 10 side gets some results. No insult to IVC, as there is so much luck involved to get a result. A lucky bounce here, a slip there.

[rizzuto123]

top 15 for sure, they will crash out in the first round, yet they already have more respect then other nations, such as korea who even though got 4th last world cup, have no real respect on the international stage.

[bsas]

Maybe not top 10, but definitely top 16. The bad finishing killed them.

Agreed that they earned themselves respect for their performance so far. Too bad they fell in the Group of Death.

[Revolt]

top 15 for sure, they will crash out in the first round, yet they already have more respect then other nations, such as korea who even though got 4th last world cup, have no real respect on the international stage.

Sheeeit; you can have your respect; I'll take 4th place every time.

[holgers_heroes]

Sheeeit; you can have your respect; I'll take 4th place every time.
Me too. Respect's overrated anyways.

[juanca]

lets not forget about eboue and kolo toure who play for Arsenal.

but for real, these guys were my vote for being dark horses at the WC and going somewhat far, but the tough draw ended that dream.

had they been in another group, there deffinetely in. or perhaps if they had played serbia 1st, then maybe. it sucks there out, really good team.

i hope they keep it together for another reason aswell.

the teams success has brought some peace and tranquility to there nation. the war between rebels/government came to a truce so the team could play. you gotta love futbol.


better luck next cup to IVORY COAST

[Natrium]

Kinda ironic, the clearly best african side in this world cup gets eliminated first. I wasn't impressed, as earlier mentioned that would require some actual results, but I acknowledge that they did pretty good in tough match-ups.

[ecuafutbolfreak]

their finishing is very poor and it needs ALOT of work.

[pepsi]

They really impressed me, i hope we see them again and they don't just fade away like so many other African teams have, i'd love to see them at the next WC after they have had time to work on those areas of their game that need improvement

[GraciasViejo]

Just another "come and go" African team. Cameroon had a great entrance in 1990 and then faded away. Same with Nigeria in 1994. Senegal...hello and good bye. I seriously doubt Ivory Coast will figure in the football map next WC around.
Guys...no offence intended, but you certainly missuse the word CLASS. That is exactly what this team lacked. They had enthusiasm and some physical atributes, but no class what so ever. That Drogba is a World Class player is no news, but he is alone, the rest are average or not even.
Lets not inflate mediocres!

[Maruti]

Cameroon had a great entrance in 1990 and then faded away.

Actually they had a great entrance in 1982 tying with Poland(3rd team at that championship) and Italy and missing out on having scored one set of goals less.

Same with Nigeria in 1994.

Nigeria had two good showings. 1994 and 1998, although Nigeria messed up the Denmark game. But I must remind they finished top of their group.

That Drogba is a World Class player is no news, but he is alone, the rest are average or not even.
Lets not inflate mediocres!

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

What? Eboue? Zokora? Both Toure's? Average? You evidently have no idea about football. Zokora and Yaya Toure are one of the most impressive defensive midfielders out there.

I understand undermining some players like the Kones,but when I hear that Didier Zokora, one of the best players in France being described as mediocre I just know you know jack shit about football. You are probably of the type of people who were surprised what the fuss was with Real Madrid selling Makelele (probably their best player along with Ronaldo and Zidane at the time).

And Eboue and Kolo Toure were rocks at the back of the Aresnal defence. And Eboue should have won the game for Ivory Coast with Holland if not for crap refereeing.

[ribery57]

What? Eboue? Zokora? Both Toure's? Average? You evidently have no idea about football. Zokora and Yaya Toure are one of the most impressive defensive midfielders out there.

I understand undermining some players like the Kones,but when I hear that Didier Zokora, one of the best players in France being described as mediocre I just know you know jack shit about football. You are probably of the type of people who were surprised what the fuss was with Real Madrid selling Makelele (probably their best player along with Ronaldo and Zidane at the time).

And Eboue and Kolo Toure were rocks at the back of the Aresnal defence. And Eboue should have won the game for Ivory Coast with Holland if not for crap refereeing.

I agree... Especially about Zokora, one of the best defensive midfielder in Ligue 1.

Well, i suppose we must wait for him to move in Lyon, Manchester or another top side. Then he can be seen as a top performer by the average "believe-the-hype" people

[GraciasViejo]

I am well aware of Cameroons performance in 82...
I am surprised you didnt mention Morocco 1986....seeing that you are so meticulous!!!
Please....Zokora stand out in the French League! Portugal has a more competitive one!

Your remark regarding my knowledge of footbal only shows how narrowminded and intolerant you are.

Ivory Coast is less than what Cameroon was in the earliy 90s and Nigeria in the late 90s, and both never were TOP 10 teams.

[vancity eagle]

I am well aware of Cameroons performance in 82...
I am surprised you didnt mention Morocco 1986....seeing that you are so meticulous!!!
Please....Zokora stand out in the French League! Portugal has a more competitive one!

Your remark regarding my knowledge of footbal only shows how narrowminded and intolerant you are.

Ivory Coast is less than what Cameroon was in the earliy 90s and Nigeria in the late 90s, and both never were TOP 10 teams.


First of all African teams do not fade away like you think. It is just very tough to qualify when a confederation has 50 teams and only 5 can make it. Then add the fact that the qualification process CAF has really sucks. Ivory Coast had to qualify in a group with Cameroon and Egypt. If you compare these top 3 teams to the top 3 teams in any European qualifying group, only the Dutch, Czech, Romania group was tougher. For example today Nigeria's team is even stronger than the one that qualified in 2002. Nigeria also earned more points in their qualifying group in 2006 when they failed to qualify than in 2002 when they did qualify. I'm so sick of people offering their clueless opinions about things they know nothing of. Have you ever watched the Nations cup Gracias whatever the hell your name is ? I don't think so, and I'll tell you the quality of this WC besides a few teams has not been that good. Ivory Coast is certainly better than a lot more teams than you think. Only a horrible draw, and horrendous officiating (ignoring clear penalties), and yes a little bad finishing has sent them home early.