Football - Ivory Coast: Doubts on the left flank

In Côte d'Ivoire, the strong link in the defense is the straight corridor. A high-level scarecrow where Singo Wilfried (25 years, 33 games, 1 goal) and Guéla Doué (23 years, 18 games, 1 goal) come first to mind. It is increasingly difficult to say who is number one and who is number two as the intrinsic talent and competition between them rage.

During the last grouping, Emerse Faé had to cut the pear in two. Doué, with Strasbourg (28 matches, 2 goals, 6 assists) in the league started against South Korea (4-0) and Singo, who is making a strong comeback with Galatasaray (13 matches, 1 goal, 1 assist), started against Scotland (1-0). They both did well. But on the left, their counterparts were less frisky. Clément Akpa started against the South Koreans and Konan against the Scots. For two years, talents have succeeded one another in this position, without really embellishing the observers.

Konan, the unshakeable

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Even Emerse Faé has only one certainty about the hierarchy of left-wing: Ghislain Konan is number one. Behind him, there is hardly a replacement. Yet, many have been tried in this position. «Ghislain is without a club hence his absence in the national team», had hammered the Ivorian coach in September 2024. 

Thus, Christopher Operi, then in Le Havre and Clément Akpa d'Auxerre arrived. But in 11 international matches, Operi did not make Konan forget even less Akpa in 5 international matches. However, behind Konan and its 51 international meetings, Opéri appears to be the most regular.

Operi, real stand-in for Konan?
For some observers, the defender of Basaksehir (Turkey) is Konan’s perfect lieutenant. He is a left back by trade while Akpa is rather used as a central defender in club.

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“Ghislain Konan has established himself as the designated left-back of the Elephants since 2019. Since then, he has been the one who gives the most assurance both defensively and offensively. His stay in Saudi Arabia was a good financial challenge that almost reduced his sports career to nothing. Fortunately, he managed to bounce back in the Iberian Peninsula to return to its best level. To supplement him, several players were put to the test. From Souleyman Doumbia to Clément Akpa, via Wonlo Coulibaly, Hassan Kamara, Diallo Ismaël Chester or even Christopher Opéri, none has yet managed to rise to the level of Ghislain Konan,"

 analyses Magloire Diop, from RTI, the Ivorian national television. However, he admits, lucidly, that Gil Vicente’s player is no longer 20 years old.

The problem is that the left-back of Gil Vicente (Portugal, editor’s note) is 30 years old. It is important to seriously prepare his succession. At this level, my preference goes without hesitation to Christopher Operi. For me, unlike Clément Akpa who has more an axial defender profile, he is the one who presents the most solid benchmarks at the position.

 Left-footer by trade, Christopher Operi seems to have a better defensive reading and appears very valuable by his offensive contribution. Of all the players in the position, he is the one who has a better quality of center and pass. Less dribbler, he presents a more rigorous and more attentive profile in the game. If he is in possession of all his physical abilities, Christopher Opéri is the best understudy of Ghislain Konan,' assures the RTI3 editor. Konan (30 years), Operi (28 years), Akpa (24) years)... What if a perfect "stranger" emerged from Faé’s wallet to accompany the undisputed holder at the US World Cup?

Brighter days ahead
When we look at the U20 team but especially that of the U23, Côte d'Ivoire can sleep peacefully. Indeed, players like Christ Tapé (AC Horsens, Denmark) or Ramadan Diaby (CO Korhogo, Ivory Coast) make a strong impression.

'' Christ Tapé is a modern defender who impresses with his maturity despite his young age (20 years, Editor’s note). He is powerful and very comfortable in the recovery, able to move in the center as well as on the left side, he possesses all the qualities of a high-level defender. Offensively as well as defensively, it’s a delight. I can assure you that in the months to come back, you will see it with the A’s," 

promises Dao Lassina, former Ivorian international and former U20 coach.

Followed by several European clubs, including RC Lens, Tapé is clearly part of the promises on the left side of the Ivorian defense. But can it be the surprise of chef Faé at the World Cup? Nothing is less certain.