Why Ivory Coast will not win the African Cup of Nations

11Jan 2013

The Betfair Contrarian tells us why Ivory Coast WON'T win the African Cup of Nations...

Looming just around the corner is every Premier League managers' nightmare, the African Cup of Nations, and boasting a squad stocked with household names the Ivory Coast represent the strong 2.7 favourites for glory. However, the Contrarian recommends ignoring the temptation to back these overhyped stars - and frequent international bottlers - and instead he'll happily be laying them. Here are a few reasons why...

The curse of the 'golden generation'

If any nation of supporters can identify with the underachievements of a prodigious crop of footballers then it's England's, and Ivory Coast are the African equivalent of England's much-heralded golden generation. Didier Drogba, the Toure bros, Didier Zakora, Emmanuel Eboue, Salomon Kalou, Arouna Kone and co have promised much since securing their nation a first ever World Cup appearance in 2006, but have actually delivered zilch. The burden of their billing has stalked them like a dark shadow in previous tournaments.

The Ivorians are psychologically damaged by penalty shoot-out defeats

The comparisons with England don't stop there. Much like our overpaid pin-ups, these Ivorian boys do not thrive when it comes to the ultimate test of nerve from 12 yards. In last year's ACON (the biennial tournament has been switched this year to coincide with non-World Cup and Euro years) all that stood between them and the trophy was the dreaded spot kicks. However, as they did back in the 2006 final against Egypt, the Ivorians choked and now have nothing but bad memories to show for two final appearances. Added to their heartbreak was the fact their talisman Drogba also missed a penalty in normal time which would have sealed the trophy.

Their big money stars lack the togetherness of smaller nations

It's often said that there is no I in team. Well this time-honoured notion is certainly applicable to the Ivory Coast. You only have to look at Zambia, their conquerors of 12 months ago, to see what an unwavering team spirit can achieve, even when the odds are stacked against you. Contrastingly the Ivory Coast have a dressing room full of big egos, most of whom are on extortionate Premier League wages, and perhaps they lack the drive of a Zambia or a Mali.

They may not even get out of the group

They may be favourites for the trophy but the draw for the final stages has not been a particularly kind one. Many are wrongly assuming that in the absence of ACON colossi Egypt, Cameroon and Senegal, the Ivory Coast will be afforded a leisurely, obstacle-free stroll through to the final in Johannesburg. However, a closer inspection of their Group D dynamics would strongly suggest otherwise. The Ivorians have been drawn against former champions Algeria, Tunisia and Emmanuel Adebayor's Togo. Ivory Coast have lost two of three previous Africa Cup meetings with Algeria, lost the only meeting with Tunisia, and have managed only one win in three meetings with Togo, a team used to carrying a rank-outsiders tag.

There are other plenty of other teams who could win it

As well as facing stiff opposition from their Group D opponents just to make it through to the knock-out stages, there are several other teams harbouring realistic ambitions to win it and, at far better prices. Algeria, Ghana, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa could all give the tournament favourites a run for their money. The last time South Africa hosted the competition back in 1996 they ended up going home with the trophy too. Bafana Bafana will enjoy vociferous support in familiar stadia and will have a point to prove to their nation after exiting early from World Cup 2010.