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Salomon Kalou of the Ivory Coast looks on in the rain during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group C match between the Ivory Coast and Japan at Arena Pernambuco on June 14, 2014 in Recife, Bra

Salomon Kalou encouraged by Cote d’Ivoire resurgence ahead of Mali tie

AFCON hosts Cote d’Ivoire looked dead and buried after losing twice in the group stages, but since eliminating Senegal they’ve given former striker Salomon Kalou belief they can become champions.

Sebastian Haller of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund at WWK-Arena on December 16, 2023 in Augsburg, Germany.

Jean-Louis Gasset ready to unleash Cote d Ivoire poster boy Sebastien Haller

Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller’s face is plastered on just about every billboard here in Cote d’Ivoire, but the locals – and indeed the rest of those who’ve made their way to the AFCON – are yet to see him in action.

Salomon Kalou of the Ivory Coast looks on in the rain during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group C match between the Ivory Coast and Japan at Arena Pernambuco on June 14, 2014 in Recife, Bra

Salomon Kalou talks pressure for AFCON hosts with Nigeria up next

Former Cote d’Ivoire international Salomon Kalou believes the AFCON hosts winning their opener against Guinea-Bissau at the weekend did more than just set the tone for coach Jean-Louis Gasset.

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