Ace Football presents a detailed list of the best forwards to have played for the Elephants.
Ivory Coast have won the Africa Cup of Nations twice, with a host of great forwards spearheading both campaigns. However, it was not only on those two occasions that Ivorian forwards stunned the continent with their quality.
Back in the 1960s, the rise of ASEC Mimosas toward becoming one of the continent’s top clubs was significantly influenced by the performances of another generation of legendary forwards.
Let’s take a look at our picks for the best Ivorian forwards of all time.
5- Salomon Kalou
Kalou was one of Jose Mourinho’s top favourite Chelsea players during his time at Stamford Bridge. The former Feyenoord winger joined Chelsea in 2006 and immediately developed into a fan favourite through his game-deciding goals.
He won the Premier League and Champions League titles with the Blues while enjoying an undisputed place in Ivory Coast’s lineup for several years. His performances for the Elephants during the 2015 AFCON were fundamental to their eventual triumph.
The former Chelsea star represented Ivory Coast in three World Cups and six AFCON tournaments, making 83 caps.
4- Joseph Bléziri
Bléziri was a key player for Stade d’Abidjan when they won the 1966 African Cup of Champion Clubs. Later on, his performances convinced French club Sporting Club Bastia to give him a contract.
The Ivory Coast great went on to play for AS Aixoise and US Toulouse in France. He was a pioneer of the first generation of Ivorian players to pursue careers in Europe.
At the international level, Bléziri’s reached his peak during the Elephants’ AFCON campaigns of 1968 and 1970. Despite only reaching the semi-finals on both occasions, Bléziri and his teammates created one of the nation’s best-ever teams during the late 60s.
3- Youssouf Fofana
The ‘Black Diamond’ started his career by playing for ASEC Mimosas during the early 1980s. A transfer to Cannes kick-started Fofana’s career in Ligue 1, where he went on to also play for Monaco and Bordeaux.
The Ivorian star won the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles at the club while developing himself as a starter in the national team. Fofana helped Ivory Coast claim their first AFCON title in 1992, taking his total caps tally to 33.
2- Laurent Pokou
Pokou suffered several long-term injuries at the peak of his career but still managed to become one of Africa’s greatest-ever forwards.
During Ivory Coast’s AFCON tournaments of 1968 and 1970, he scored 14 goals, which makes him the competition’s second top-scorer in history.
Pokou played for ASEC Mimosas before moving to Ligue 1, where he starred for AS Nancy and Rennes. He scored 44 goals in 63 appearances during his spell at the latter club.
1- Didier Drogba
One of the greatest African players of all time, Didier Drogba, wrote history at Chelsea during his two spells at Stamford Bridge.
‘Tito’ won the Champions League, four Premier League titles and four FA Cups at Chelsea. Drogba’s incredible performances for the Blues secured his place among Premier League’s all-time greats. The Chelsea legend was the first African star to reach the 100-goal mark in the English top-flight.
The Ivorian great claimed two African Footballer of the Year awards, scoring 65 goals in his 101 appearances for the Elephants.
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