AFCON 2023: Gbohouo gloves up to win back his place with the Elephants

Sylvain Gbohouo, banned from January 2022 to June 2023, returned to the pitch a few months ago. The Ivorian international, an African champion in 2015 with the Elephants, has lost none of his ambition. "I'm coming back to reclaim my place as first choice. And I will, because I'm working hard for it. It's also personal revenge for me. The ultimate goal is to win the AFCON in Abidjan", he warned. Soon afterwards, he agreed to sign a one-season deal with Stade d'Abidjan, the first Ivorian club to win the CAF Champions League, in 1966.

"We approached Sylvain (Gbohouo) and told him about our objectives. He's an international, he was first choice with the Elephants before his suspension for taking a banned substance. He played for TP Mazembe, who pay big salaries, but we asked him to make sacrifices and he came with us", said Camara Karim, president of Stade d'Abidjan's football section.

"The AFCON as motivation"

At Brofodoumé, on the outskirts of Abidjan where his team train, Gbohouo shows plenty of energy and determination. According to his new employers, persuading him to join an ambitious club was far from a struggle. "He wanted it so much that when we offered him the chance to join us, he didn't hesitate. He lowered his financial demands, because it's not money that motivates him for this comeback but the AFCON. He wants to play in it so badly that he's working three times as hard. The AFCON is his motivation, we can say that plainly", Camara added.

For his Ivorian league debut, nine years after leaving Séwé Sports in 2014, Gbohouo had a special visitor on 7 October 2023. Elephants head coach Jean-Louis Gasset was in the stands to watch his match against SOL FC. The game ended in defeat, with the Ivorian goalkeeper conceding very early on. "It was a good match from Sylvain", the Frenchman said briefly as he left the Stade Champroux in Marcory, Abidjan.

Are these restrained but flattering words a reason for hope for Gbohouo? Hard to say. "I'm confident. I think morale is the most important thing. I'm working hard, the rest is up to the coach. But I want to play in this tournament at home", the player admitted on the eve of the match against newly promoted Zoman FC on 9 October 2023. That game also ended in a defeat by the narrowest of margins. One thing is certain: Gasset is now following his performances closely.

Sanh SEVERIN