Jon Obi Mikel vs. Anyone:  Some people say Mikel plays a bit rough and reckless, and yes his challenging can be mindless at times.  Nevertheless, he is a savy holding midfielder akin to the likes of Yaya Toure, and at his age has a TON of potential.  It will be interesting to watch him matchup with man Didier Drogba, and the rest of his teammates.

Didier Drogba vs. Whoever thinks they can stop him:  Drogba has made a speedy recovery and is hungry to establish himself as healthy and still freaking good.  He is the pivot point to the Elephants success and if he plays the unstoppable style of attacking soccer that he is capable of every team will have some problems.

Kanu & Obafemi Martins vs. Eboue & Toure: EPL on parade here with two quality strikers against two wily defenders.  
Nigeria boasts a ton of speed upfront and it will math up nicely against some the Elephants stronghold defenders.

My prediction for the match is a draw, for a few reasons.  It’s the first game of the tournament for both these clubs and no one wants to , or quite frankly needs to over exert themselves in the first game.  I don’t expect a goalless draw, so 1-1 makes a ton more sense, but hey crazier things have happened haven’t they.  

ELEPHANTS ALL THE WAY!!!

Yesterday the Elephants lost to
Austria 3-2 but played well despite the score line.  
Austria’s goals were the first conceded under new coach Uli Stieleke.  Drogba scored both goals from spot kicks; the first was a driven free kick in the 53^rd and the second a PK in the final minute.  The Elephants were reduced to ten men but still played enough to earn the win, but a playing a man down is always difficult.

In player news Drogba has stated that he is now unhappy with the direction
Chelsea is going and would prefer to leave.  He has said in the past that he would prefer
Italy and more specifically AC Milan.  As a Rossoneri fan all I can say is I cannot wait to see that move happen.  

Like the other two games, the Ivorians went 2-0 down in the first 19 minutes courtesy some slack defending and a clueless goalkeeper.

This match had everything.

Two penalties awarded to Cote d’Ivoire, 2 sending off (one from each team) and 5 goals. What more can you ask for in a match….

I am happy that this youthful and talented side managed to secure 3 points and go back home with their head high. With some more experience they could perform wanders if they make it to South Africa in 2010.

I have had a lot of fun blogging for Cote d’Ivoire even though I am a Nigerian and I like to thank you all that came by this blog.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of the World cup tournament and may the best team win.

Cote d’Ivoire will be without their main talisman Didier Drogba as he is suspended for the game, however I expect the fringe players such as Bakari Kone, Aruna Kone to put in a good performance and put some pride back into Cote d’Ivoire football.

This will be Henri Michel’s last game in charge so he will be fired up like the rest of the squad to win this game and bow out in style.

I expect a close game and Cote d’Ivoire to put in a good performance.

Cote d’Ivoire (probable) – Tizie, Eboue, K Toure, Boka, Meite, Zokora, G Toure, Akale, Romaric, A Kone, B Kone.

Even though they have been knocked out of the competition after slim losses to Argentina and Holland, the youthful Ivorian side who have won many admirers by their brand of football will be looking to win the game against Serbia and Montenegro.

Both teams have no points yet so they will both be up for the game tomorrow.

Coach Michel, the much travelled Cote d’Ivoire manager is to step down from his post after the World Cup.

After the Elephants two losses in group C against Argentina and Holland, the Frenchman has admitted his contract is unlikely to be extended and the match against Serbia and Montenegro is likely to be his last in charge.

Coach Michel has done an excellent job with the Ivorian team and I congratulate him on that. He took the country to the final of the African Cup of Nations and helped them qualify for its first World Cup.

And whoever takes over the reins will inherit a talented group of players. I just hope the Cote d’Ivoire federation make the right choice.

Two early goals from Robin Van Persie and Ruud Van Nilsterooy stunned the Ivorians.

Bakary Kone fired home a spectacular shot from the edge of the penalty area after a driving individual run to pull one back.

The second half was not as thrilling but the Ivorians continued to dominate the match but failed to be clinical in the final third and that proved decisive in the end.

So the Elephants World Cup adventure is over as they have no points from two games. Holland and Argentina go through.

It has been a great adventure for the Ivorians and I believe the young team will learn from the experience.

As the Cote d’Ivoire blogger I am sooooooooo gutted…

I expect a tightly contested game. Mark Van Bommel to try and stamp his authority in the middle of the park but the danger men for Holland in my opinion are Arjen Robben and Ruud Van Nilsterooy.

I hope Didier Drogba is up for a ‘Drog’ fight and I am happy that his perfect foil in Aruna Didane will start along side him.

All in all, the pressure is more on the Ivorians as they need a win to kick start their participation in this tournament.

Arjen Robben is quick, Ruud Van Nilsterooy is clinical in the box and Robin Van Persie can knock in balls from set pieces so the Ivorian defensive unit of Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure,Arthur Boka and Abdoulaye Meite will have their work cut out in stopping the Dutch strikers from doing any damage.

Against the Argentinians, Cote d’Ivoire defence were cut napping for both goals and I expect the Dutch to use the same tactics tomorrow.

How can the trio be stopped? I have three solutions

Didier Zokora and Yaya Toure will need to deny the Dutch midfielders any time and space on the ball.

Also, Arjen Robben should be denied the space to run at defenders because he is very good at that.

And predator Van Nilsterooy will need to be kept out of the box 18. He scores must of his goals from within the box.

Any other ideas welcome.