Many fans and some of the analysts doing Pregame commentaries and the Commentators calling the game between Japan and Cote D’Ivoire were a bit confused and flabbergasted that Sabri Lamouchi the Coach of the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire began the Game without Didier Drogba in the lineup, and the frustrations heightened when they fell down by a goal by Honda of Japan.
For those who are historical scholars of the game, you could immediately read into the strategy Lamouchi was adopting here and that was the 1990 World Cup playbook of Cameroon which saw Africa at its brightest with Roger Milla and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon almost making it to the Semi-Finals, it was a strategy which saw the aging Milla at 38 brought on as a Substitute late into Games and on every occasion changed the dynamics of the Game.
For those who are historical scholars of the game, you could immediately read into the strategy Lamouchi was adopting here and that was the 1990 World Cup playbook of Cameroon which saw Africa at its brightest with Roger Milla and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon almost making it to the Semi-Finals, it was a strategy which saw the aging Milla at 38 brought on as a Substitute late into Games and on every occasion changed the dynamics of the Game.
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This is what Lamouchi has adopted here and it has worked well thus far in its first try. Most who watched the game saw the lapses of the Elephants early on, conceding a goal and playing from behind. The Samurais of Japan were playing with a pep in their step in the first half without Drogba, taking it to the Ivorians who seemed too laid back and nonchalant in the first half.
Then in the 62nd minute of the second half Drogba comes on and the complexion of the game changes right away. The Japanese lost the pep in their step and became desperate and started fouling taking their focus off of the game as they sought to contain Drogba. Surely enough in the 64th and 66th minute Wilfred Bony and Gervinho both netted and Cote D’Ivoire went up 2 goals to 1.
This strategy will work well if the starting 11 can play disciplined football containing their opponents till the Talisman himself (Drogba) comes in during the second half of games, they cannot afford to fall too far back in any game, not by any amount of goals not even one goal like they did in the game against Japan.
Like Roger Milla of Cameroon of the 80’s and 90’s; Drogba is the Key to Cote D’Ivoire making it all the way to the Finals of the World Cup and breaking new ground for Africa. The only other factor that I would ask of the Elephants is playing extremely disciplined and focused football throughout and that means no complacency or premature celebrations. Players would have to hold each other accountable on and off the pitch and like the Spartans of old times fight a fearless fight to the end regardless of who their opponent is.
If they can stay disciplined with Drogba coming on late in games to change the complexion and outcome of games they will not only make the finals they can possibly be the first African nation to hoist the FIFA Trophy.
Then in the 62nd minute of the second half Drogba comes on and the complexion of the game changes right away. The Japanese lost the pep in their step and became desperate and started fouling taking their focus off of the game as they sought to contain Drogba. Surely enough in the 64th and 66th minute Wilfred Bony and Gervinho both netted and Cote D’Ivoire went up 2 goals to 1.
This strategy will work well if the starting 11 can play disciplined football containing their opponents till the Talisman himself (Drogba) comes in during the second half of games, they cannot afford to fall too far back in any game, not by any amount of goals not even one goal like they did in the game against Japan.
Like Roger Milla of Cameroon of the 80’s and 90’s; Drogba is the Key to Cote D’Ivoire making it all the way to the Finals of the World Cup and breaking new ground for Africa. The only other factor that I would ask of the Elephants is playing extremely disciplined and focused football throughout and that means no complacency or premature celebrations. Players would have to hold each other accountable on and off the pitch and like the Spartans of old times fight a fearless fight to the end regardless of who their opponent is.
If they can stay disciplined with Drogba coming on late in games to change the complexion and outcome of games they will not only make the finals they can possibly be the first African nation to hoist the FIFA Trophy.
By: Leslie Koroma, Texas, USA
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