Spain coach sings Cote d’Ivoire praises

Spain coach Luis Aragones thinks Cote d’Ivoire, his team’s opponent in a friendly on Wednesday, are so strong they could be “one of the World Cup’s sensations.”

Aragones believes the Elephants team boasts “eight or ten extraordinary players” and was “almost a European team as most of its players play here.”

He is of the opinion that Cote d’Ivoire is a good team and has an advantage because it’s just played the African Cup final.

Coach Henri Michel has included Lazio midfielder Christian Manfredini and Paderborn goalkeeper Stephan Loboue of Germany’s second division in its squad for the first time.

Strikers Abdul Kader Keita of Lille and Kandia Traore of Le Havre, together with Lorient midfielder Tchiressoua Guel, have been recalled by the team’s French coach Henri Michel.