'Elephants' hope to have rivals packing their trunks

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2006

ABIDJAN (AFP) — Of all of Africa's four debutantes at the World Cup, Ivory Coast could be the side best placed to spring a shock.

The Ivorians pulled off a dramatic upset in qualifying by eliminating four-time finalists Cameroon and as a result will arrive in Germany knowing that sometimes miracles do happen.

Under the guidance of experienced former France coach Henri Michel, the 'Elephants' qualified after Cameroon missed an injury-time penalty in their final game that would have seen the Ivorians pipped at the post.

A strong showing at the African Nations Cup in Egypt earlier this year - when they were beaten on penalties by the hosts in the final - has fuelled optimism that Michel's men can emulate 2002 first-timers Senegal, who confounded the pundits by...