Do the Ivory Coast have the discipline to get to the top?

As we head towards the world cup next summer one of the most interesting debates is about whether one of the African nations can take the next step in their development and make a serious challenge for the crown.

Challenge

Together with Ghana, The Ivory Coast are the one of the most likely to mount a challenge as they have been impressive in qualifying and have some exceptional players.

Despite the many plaudit’s the side have received some people have questioned the discipline and attitude of the side and doubt whether they have the necessary requirements that are needed to win a major international tournament as well as the exceptional ability they do possess.

Doubts

Those doubts resurfaced again this week when Salomon Kalou and Abdoulaye Meite were left out of the side for the world cup qualifier against Guinea after they had a fight the day before the match. They still won the game easily, but the discipline issue could be important.

The two players involved, who both play in England, Meite at West Brom and Kalou at Chelsea, have since made up and dismissed the incident.

Meite has said,

“Things got a little heated but we are human and these things can happen to us. But in the end we understood that we have to preserve the spirit in the squad and so it’s all forgotten now.”

Kalou said,

“Meite is a big brother, I have apologised and he has accepted it. It’s a pity that it was between Abdoulaye and myself. We were punished and I have accepted that and that’s how we move on. You recognise your mistake and you learn. We’ve talked and its over.”

The Ivory Coast have qualified for next year’s world cup and African cup of nations and they look like a formidable team. When you look at the quality in their squad it is hard to see how they will not be challengers.

Decent

From England there is Meite, Kalou, Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure and Didier Drogba. From Spain there is Didier Zakora and Yaya Toure. Add to them the likes of Keita at Galatasaray, Dindane of Lens, currently on loan at Portsmouth and Arthur Boka of Stuttgart and you have a very decent team.

My fear for them is not that they don’t have the ability, it is that they don’t have the discipline.

Bust-up

There was this bust-up between Meite and Kalou. Eboue has been really temperamental at Arsenal and we all know how highly strung Didier Drogba is.

If they start well and things go for them then I can see them being difficult to stop. If they start poorly then the attitude and discipline could start to degenerate.

Joy

I hope they keep it together because if they do they will be a joy to watch. They are powerful and skillful and will be a match for anyone.

Promising teams who lack discipline rarely prosper in the world cup. You only have to look at the fact that Holland have never won it despite the talent they have had at their disposal to see that attitude and discipline are crucial. Two promising England campaigns have been brought to an end by indiscretions from David Beckham and Wayne Rooney.

Focussed

To win the world cup the whole squad has to be focussed, determined and disciplined throughout. I am simply not sure that the Ivory Coast can fulfil all of those criteria.

Do you think the Ivory Coast have what it takes to cause an upset next summer?