#14-Cote D'Ivore

#14-Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Nickname-Les Elephants
Confederation African Football 
FIFA Ranking-#21 
Group C (Colombia, Greece, Cote D'Ivoire, Japan)
Projected Results...
Loss to Colombia
Win to Japan
Tie to Greece
Manager-Sabri Lamouchi
Qualified through CAF Playoff win on aggregate over Senegal 4-2
3rd World Cup Appearance (2006, 2010)

This team has A LOT of firepower. Drogba, Bony, Gervinho, Kalou, Yaya Toure, Tiote, etc. The issue won't be scoring, but it will be an old defense and a clash of egos. I think this team has the makeup to go very far, and I took a chance on them. I think Drogba is over the hill, but he still possesses quality. Form is temporary, quality is permanent. I worry about their defense against Colombia and Japan, but Greece has some older players too. I think their forwards and midfield will be able to score, and they will need to do this to go far. "Les Elephants" are a team I took a chance on, because you could argue that Japan and Greece both could finish ahead of them. The back four and the keeper and the question marks here. Let's delve into the most important players for Cote D'Ivoire.

Gervinho-Enjoying a renaissance of his career at Roma in Italy after pooping the bed at Arsenal. 26 years old and in his prime. He's a forward, and will be important in setting up teammates as well as scoring goals. 53 appearances, 13 goals.

Yaya Toure-Their best player. So, so good. Plays for Manchester City. Scores goals, but really is a fantastic box-to-box midfielder. Incredible passing skills. Truly a delight to watch play. He's 30 years old, with 83 appearances and 16 goals.

Didier Drogba-He's a legend, with 99 appearances and 63 goals for the team. He scores screamers, good in the air, and really works hard. He is a diver though. He's 36 years old, but still kicks ass for Galatasaray in Turkey.

Don't make me look bad, Ivory Coast. I picked you to finish 2nd in the group, and maybe, just maybe, make a run at this thing.