Tizie‘s safe hands guides the Elephants

Cote d’Ivoire veteran goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie is enjoying his first taste of Nations Cup action in Egypt. He featured in the Elephants’ squad during the Nations Cup in Ghana 2000 and Mali in 2002 but only as third choice goalkeeper behind Alain Gouamene, now on the national-team coaching staff, and Losseni Konate, the ASEC Abidjan No 1.

Tizie started is goalkeeping adventure with Stade d’Abidjan, Africa Sport and also had a spell in the Ivorian top flight with Lazer FC before moving to Esperance in Tunis where he currently plies his trade. This worth while experience has allowed him to develop a winner’s mentality, excellent leadership skills and considerable command over his trusting defence.

He first became popular in 1999 when he played for Abidjan outfit Africa Sport and was part of a glorious team that won the African Cup Winner’s Cup against Club Africain from Tunis. His superb performance in the final alerted Club Africain cross-town rivals, Esperance who subsequently signed him. He then became heir apparent to the legendary Tunisian goalkeeper Chokri El Quaer.

He went on to establish himself as one of the continents’s most gifted keepers. Tizie has also played as an outfield player and even had a stint as a handball goalkeeper. This varied experience has helped the Ivorian keeper to acquire the strength and reflexes which encourages his team-mates and puts off opponents today.

An excellent shot stopper, he is a handful for opposing strikers and his cat-like reactions have saved his team on numerous occasions. But more importantly, it is his understanding of the game coupled with a cool head which has cemented his place as one of the leaders in the Ivorian camp. Ivorian goalkeeping coach Alain Gouamene said of his once understudy, “We like to call him ‘The Shepherd’ because of the feeling of security he emanates when he’s in goal. “That’s why we all have so much faith in him.”

Henri Michel, the colourful Cote d’Ivoire manager, said of Tizie, “Anyone who saw our qualifying game with Cameroon knows what a vital player he is for us.” In that match, Tizie had a rare off-day and that cost the Elephants’ victory and appeared to have killed off their World Cup qualifying hopes. Michel is well aware of over-dependence on veteran Tizie and has begun to groom younger goalkeepers to take over from him in the near future.

Tizie had to be substituted against Egypt in the final Nations Cup group match and I am sure every Ivorian will be praying that ‘The Shepherd’ can be fit for the quarter-final came against Cameroon. With the likes of Cameroon strikers Eto’o and Webo for company, the Elephants’ will need an experienced campaigner like Tizie to keep the Cameroonians out.