Football: Bonny, Wahi, Guessand... who starts for Côte d'Ivoire at the World Cup?

Elye Wahi scored points in March
Of the four selected for this World Cup, Elye Wahi seems to have gone ahead of the others, after his first two matches with Côte d'Ivoire in March. Eintracht Frankfurt’s player on loan to Nice for the second half of the season showed himself available at the top of the attack during his first match with the Elephants against Scotland (1-0 win). 

Author of 7 goals and 2 assists in 16 games with the Aiglons, Elye Wahi is favored by the predictions, even those of assiduous observers of the Ivorian team like Japhet Marcel: 

"For me, it’s Elye Wahi who must be at the front of the attack"

 the Ivorian journalist was interviewed by Sport News Africa.

Before adding:

 "During the last FIFA window, the OGC Nice player was interesting against Scotland. Good on the ball, excellent play with your back to the goal and above all good in conservation. He goes ahead of Ange-Yoan Bonny who will discover the selection. Evann Guessand has never satisfied all observers.”

Ange-Yoann Bony to shake up the hierarchy?
With only one match in which he did not score, it is difficult to consider Elye Wahi as an indisputable starter. This is where Emerse’s choice to summon Ange-Yoan Bonny for this World Cup makes sense. 

More robust with a better wingspan and space use in the box, the Inter Milan center-forward who is also good in the air game has many advantages to claim a starting place with the Elephants. He is the announced successor of Sébastien Haller at the forefront of the attack. And his season gives him more credit, as Bonny has scored 7 goals and delivered 8 assists in 46 games .

A Wahi-Bonny association in a 4-4-2 is another option, but it risks exposing Côte d'Ivoire to a defensive phase. With four offensive players, the Elephants could suffer waves if their counter-pressing is not intense and coordinated. This is not a foregone conclusion for an ever-changing group.

Evann Guessand has Faé’s trust
Despite a disappointing season at the club (4 goals and one assist in 32 games), Evann Guessand still has the confidence of Emerse Faé who called him in March. And the Aston Villa striker was a goalscorer in the 4-0 win against Croatia. But Guessand played in a reshuffled team, which is a good indication of his status in the center-forward hierarchy? We’re not immune to a surprise with Emerse Faé.

Oumar Diakité, the firefighter on duty
His inclusion on the Côte d'Ivoire list is controversial at home, but Oumar Diakité has the profile and above all the attitude sought after by Emerse Faé, especially among his offensives: his ability to repeat efforts and above all to be altruistic and concerned about defensive withdrawal. 

But with only 7 goals and 2 assists in 28 games with the Cercle Bruges, it will take a hell of an alignment of planets to see Oumar Diakité start ahead of the three mentioned above. Moreover, the one nicknamed "the Wourou wourou" has never complained about his replacement status. An irreproachable mindset that makes him gain esteem among the staff.