Ivory Coast

Interesting to see how Cote d-Ivoire (pronounced kot divwaR) responds in this their first World Cup. A missed penalty by Wome of Cameroon meant that the West African state would have to get their act together in representing the African confederation well. It’s thought Portuguese ships dropped in back in the 1460s, the major ethnic groups weren’t too keen, although many tribes had migrated to the area and by good fortune the Ivorians didn’t get entrapped with the slave trade. The French wanted trade in the area to launch their investments in the country but not without resentment up to 1917. Coffee, cocoa and palm oil became the main exports that the French took without remorse leaving the country to work for them. The British also weren’t too far away to exploit the country as well. The Guerrilla warfare that was started by the Baoule tribe made sure that by 1944, the Ivory Coast would gain independence. The French had to abolish forced labour, but the Baoule chief Houphouet-Boigny (H-B) got too many francs in his eyes so he exploited his own people. He got all sorts of ministerial honours. It took until 1960 to overthrow the absurdity that the Ivory Coast was under. But the slightly corrupted President changed his ways allowing the Ivory Coast to become on of the biggest providers of coffee and the leaders of cocoa production in 1979. The French were never too far away filling their pockets. The Ivory Coast remained quite reserved when it came to kicking Europeans out of the country quite possibly because we weren’t dealing with petrol-dollars but through agriculture – however, H-B ruled the country with an iron fist, the press were controlled and only one party held sway. H-B transformed his own village into the new capital, in doing so shit loads of money was spent. The new capital Yamoussoukro was the laughing stock of the country. The world recession and a nasty drought screwed the country big time, crime rose crazily, people went on strike, corruption was uncovered, H-B died before he could be hanged. The country couldn’t get organised, dissidents were sent to jail. In a strange twist the new leader Bedie went too nationalistic and wanted ‘Ivority’ residency only to exclude other rivals. Bedie escaped to France.

It’s the year 2000 and reckless elections are underway, the military are intervening and there are violent protests in the capital. The rebels supposably lost control but today the country is still split in two. It’s unknown whether former President Robert Guei was killed, his opponent Alassane Ouattara hid at the French embassy whilst his house burnt down.

The rebels hid in the shanty towns. It was time to bulldoze and burn down homes and attack residents for fun. Ceasefire was countered by French military action, whilst warlords from Liberia and Sierra Leone took advantage of the crisis by taking land. In the last three years not much has changed. National unity was tried by signing a piece of paper, the French troops cleared up the lawlessness, but it was just too far-fetched an idea. Instability continues. You don’t just have 120 people killed at an opposition rally for nothing to think things are going to get better. UN peacekeepers? A bit too late in the end.

But Drogba and his mates will avoid imprisonment if the Coasters come home early because most of them will travel back to a European destination rather than Abidjan. You’re not supposed to know many of the players in the team, but Eboue and Toure have already tasted an ‘unforgettable’ loss in the Champions League final so more pain is to follow. They’ll resist as best as possible but the fear isn’t the same as it is in kot-divwaR.

The future? Let’s hold on a minute here – they lose to Argentina and then to Holland – game over. The two Kone brothers are worth looking out for along with speedy striker Kalou, whose brother missed Dutch selection. Fae and Zokora are the metal in the midfield. A cup debut with a lot of talent that will point the finger at Henri Michel for screwing up in the team selections.

Bottomless pit ranking? Let’s look at the nicer things in Ivory Coast. There are violent attacks on Europeans, yet the countries players trade their skills in France, England and Holland. How can FIFA allow the Ivorians to play in the World Cup when civil war is present in the country? Not only that non-combatant personnel have been imprisoned and child slavery is at its peak. FIFA have no balls.