Ivory Coast 1 – 0 Nigeria, 21st January 2008, Sekondi
The Africa Cup of Nations came to Sekondi, capital of Western Ghana, with the tantalising prospect of a number of the continent’s superstars coming head-to-head drawing much hype and expectation across the globe. Such a clash between two African super-powers so early in the tournament schedule was always likely to result a cautious affair though, and that proved to be the case as Berti Vogts’ Super Eagles yet again wilted in the face of expectation, falling to an inspired goal by Ivorian livewire Salomon Kalou.
Both sides adopted a wary approach from the outset, on another overgrown playing surface to match yesterday’s in Accra – the Ivorians, under the temporary stewardship of Olympic team coach Gerard Gili (boss Uli Stielike remains at home in Germany, tending to his sick son), opted for the hulking Steven Gohouri at right-back. This selection pushed Arsenal’s Emmanuel Eboue up onto the right wing in place of the more naturally attacking option; Kader Keita, club record signing of Lyon. Though Nigeria lined up with a stellar front-line of Martins-Kanu-Yakubu, ably supported by Portsmouth winger John Utaka, their stilted performance ultimately lacked sorely in both urgency and cohesion.
Kanu’s wayward early left-footed drive from the edge of the area, following a neat Yakubu lay-off, was as good as it got for Nigeria from open play during the first period, and though Ivory Coast ‘keeper Boubacar Barry flapped wildly at several innocuous crosses, they failed to take further advantage of the inexperienced Lokeren stopper’s nervous indecision. Not long after, a thunderous Taye Taiwo free-kick from 25-yards out rattled the crossbar, with Barry well beaten. However, Nigeria failed to seize the initiative from thereon.
Throughout, Yaya Toure and Didier Zokora had the rule over John Obi Mikel and, nominally, Kanu in the midfield contest, and Toure had a 20-yarder well saved by Austin Ejide near the half-hour mark.
An absorbing, if at times disjointed first half was superseded by a far better second period, enlivened by Kalou’s jinking run through both the near ankle-length grass and a sea of Nigerian defenders’ legs to fire firm and low past the helpless Ejide with an hour on the clock.
The pacy Chelsea forward was schooled in Dutch football, primarily with Feyenoord, and only missed out on an appearance at the 2006 World Cup for his adopted country due to a wrangle with officials over gaining full Dutch residency. Ironically, the group draw for that tournament paired the Ivorians with the Oranje, but Kalou’s failure to ‘go Dutch’ in time caused him to instead join his elder brother Bonaventure in playing for the country of his birth. Any lingering scepticism towards Kalou junior from Ivorian fans was surely blown well and truly away though by his stunning, decisive contribution to this game.
Going behind naturally implored Nigeria, with the dangerous Mali lying in wait next time out, to improve upon their hitherto laboured efforts. However, with the game opening up, it was instead the Ivory Coast’s front men – including lively substitute Kader Keita – that looked more likely to add a second. Les Elephants’ towering talisman Didier Drogba was undoubtedly far short of peak fitness following his recent knee operation and he was withdrawn late on, to be replaced by tiny Bakary Kone who seemed barely half his captain’s size as the pair swapped places on the touchline. It was, instead, the performances of Barcelona’s rising star Toure, Aruna Dindane and Kalou that carried the greatest threat, and the Ivorians – Kalou in particular – spurned several decent chances to wrap things up conclusively.
Nevertheless, the disjointed and 'not-so-super' Super Eagles never seriously looked like getting themselves level, and the final whistle brought defeat, to sighs of dismay from supporters growing wearily accustomed to such let-downs. Yet again the big names and similarly big egos had flattered to deceive on the big occasion, the predominant factor when it comes to explaining why the multi-talented Nigerians have fallen at the semi-final stage in the past three tournaments.
The upcoming game against Mali – themselves featuring an impressive array of talent such as Real Madrid’s Mahamadou Diarra, Seydou Keita (of Sevilla), Momo Sissoko (soon to be ex-Liverpool) and, of course, Fredi Kanoute – will prove a fiercely stern test and one which will undoubtedly have 130 million-plus Nigerians on the edge of their seats throughout.
On the other hand, the Ivory Coast – with, they hope, Drogba slowly re-gaining his explosive edge – will be favourites to progress from Group B as winners, therefore most likely avoiding hosts Ghana in the quarter-finals. Anything less than being crowned Kings of African football in four weeks time will be heralded as nothing other than failure for Les Elephants. They remain a united squad, a beacon of hope, all in spite of the sectarian strife riven through Ivorian society. If they can handle such pressure, the trophy is theirs for the taking.
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