Cote d’Ivoire looking for ‘men between the posts’

Cote d’Ivoire will present one of the most young and skillful team in the World Cup in June, however coach Henri Michel might have a few sleepless nights selecting the goalkeepers that will accompany him to Germany because Cote d’Ivoire only have one goalkeeper of value and that is Jean Jacques Tizié.

If anything were to happen to him (touch wood) or he gets injured then the defensive capabilities of the Ivorians might be seriously exposed.

Cote d’Ivoire do have other keepers in the form of Gnanhouan Gerard and Barry Copa Kader but neither of them have been used or tested at the highest level.

Gnanhouan Gerard was used once before against Cameroon in the World Cup qualifier in Abidjan, a match in which the Elephants lost 3-2 and nearly cost them qualification for Germany.

And as for Barry Copa Kader? Well he is still learning his trade at Bereven and is not yet ready.

Conscious of this situation, Henri Michel and his backroom staff have started work on finding good goalkeepers, that might come in for Jean Jacques Tizié in the event of unavailability.

For the friendly match against Spain, Henri Michel had called upon Stéphane Loboué. Unfortunately on that occasion he wasn’t given a chance to show what he was capable of doing.

One can only hope that experience goalie Jean Jacques Tizié can take his place in goal when the World Cup starts in June.