Is this Cote d'Ivoire’s year?

Cote d'Ivoire possesses probably the best collection of African stars plying their trade outside of Africa. This has been the case for some years.

That notwithstanding, the national team has only succeeded in being crowned king of African Cup of Nations football once before. The last time this football-loving nation achieved this feat was way back in 1992 in Senegal – 20 years ago! Will this be the year they break the deadlock?

Cote d'Ivoire can boast world class talent in players like Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure, E Eboue,D Zokora, A Keita, S Doumbia, S Kalou, D Drogba and Arsenal’s Gervinho, just to mention a few. These are world stars.

With the absence of Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa and Nigeria, there is no better chance on paper as this one to take the elusive African Nations Cup back to Cote D’Ivoire.

They are very strong in mid-field. Their attacking strength is second to none and I would advise that everyone keep an eye out for S Doumbia. If he can get playing time and re-enact the form he has shown this year in the European Champions League for Spartak Moscow, he will be a hand full.

This team has so much depth that the coach has the problem of who to play and the opponents will have problems each time an offensive change is made (the player coming in will certainly be as good, if not better, than the one he is replacing ). Imagine Doumbia coming on for Solomon Kalou of Chelsea, for example.

This team will have the advantage that a lot of their erstwhile stars are relatively unsettled in their respective clubs (Drogba, Kalou, Kolo Toure, etc), hence some form of hunger, fresh legs and a thirst for revenge should be a great stimulus to play at their best to crown their difficult season so far.

The political deadlock that almost tore this beautiful nation apart could be, once and for all, laid to rest by a Nations Cup victory to unify the country. This could be another positive motivation to stimulate a title conquest.

However, nations like Ghana are no pushovers and can rightfully lay claim to their chances of being crowned champions. They fared better than Cote d’Ivoire in the last nations and world cup and have an array of young vibrant players, like the Ayew brothers. Morocco under Eric Gerets are also possible threats to Cote d’Ivoire. Demba Ba’s Senegal are also looking solid and could be the surprise of the tournament. They have very enterprising players and the French League has been great for this nation. So it might not be a foregone conclusion for Cote d’Ivoire.

The fact that most of the Cote d’Ivoire stars are unsettled at their clubs could also mean a lack of rhythm and match fitness, which could see them not playing at their best.

With such a large collection of stars, especially strikers, known for their ego, how would they handle sitting on the bench? Didier Drogba will monopolise one available striking spot, leaving all the others one or two places to share?

The defence of Cote d’Ivoire has always been their weak point and could cost them against formidable opponents. If they do not put it in order it could cost them this time too.

That said, I really do feel this nation, on paper, are clear favourites to win this year. Egypt stopped them last time and are absent now. They are strong, athletic and boast the current African Player of the Year in Yaya Toure, even if he is no longer at his best. The former African Player of the Year, Drogba, is an asset to any team and experience has shown us that, to win an important tournament like this, a solid and performing reserve bench is important. Cote d’Ivoire is blessed with that, but then football is no mathematics and the paper worth is not always credible.

I am looking forward to Sunday, when the 2012 African Nations Cup kicks off. Are you?