BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
It has turned to be a doom foretold. Veteran Ivorian football journalist, Mamadou Gaye may had seen ‘tomorrow’ when he told Sports Village Square last month in Marrakesh, Morocco that his native country will not perform well at the on-going Africa Cup of Nations.
Apart from being the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire are generally considered among the giants of African football.
They have two titles in the preceding editions having won in 1992 and 2015.
According to Gaye, a very familiar face on television across Africa, Cote d’Ivoire has a coach who does not understand the dynamics of African football.
The coach is 70-year old Jean-Louis Gasset a French former midfielder who was appointed in May 2022. Gaye, himself an Ivorian believes that the employment of the old coach who is having his first experience in Africa, was influenced by a group of players who consequently have great influence on him.
According to Gaye who spoke to Sports Village Square at the Movenpick Hotel in Marrakech, Morocco remarked that the players dictate to the old man, the choice of squad.
“This will backfire at some point. In Africa, you need to have experienced coach who understands the dynamics of the game.”
To Gaye, Cote d’Ivoire may struggle to get to the semi-finals, but he was sure they will not be contesting for the title.
RELATED STORY: Neither hosts, Cote d’Ivoire nor champions, Senegal will win AFCON 2023
The post He said it! Mamadou Gaye predicted Cote d’Ivoire’s dismal outing appeared first on Sports Village Square.
