Doumbia primed for Côte d'Ivoire chance

The 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the stage on which Russia-based forward Seydou Doumbia could well force his way into the galaxy of stars from the Côte d'Ivoire. 

Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kolo Toure, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou and Chieck Tiote are already well known for their exploits for club and country, and it is now 24-year-old Doumbia's chance to shine on the biggest stage in African football.

Doumbia has moved from the J-League in Japan to Switzerland's BSC Young Boys before settling at Russian side CSKA Moscow. In Switzerland, the Ivorian was Player of the Year as well as top scorer in the 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons.

The striker's progress was further clear when he was picked as the top player in the Russian league last year, following an illustrious list of past winners that included Viktor Onokpo and Yuri Zhirkov.

Doumbia has always shown a nose for goal as he was top scorer in the Ivorian league back in 2005, and now has 24 goals in 30 appearances for CSKA this season, sparking the interest of several clubs. "He'?s a big asset for any team,' said CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky.

While at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa Doumbia played in just one match, a 3-0 win over North Korea, the powerful forward can expect to play a bigger role at this year's Africa Cup of Nations, with Côte d'Ivoire coach Francois Zahoui hailing his efforts against South Africa in the absence of Drogba. 

'I want to rely on all the players and not just an individual," said Zahoui. "The absence of Drogba did not affect us negatively because we were able to plug that hole with with Doumbia. We can?'t rely on our so-called superstars. During the 2010 World Cup, Drogba was injured and we still relied on him and it backfired.

"We have learned from Ghana. Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari are their key players but their coach got results even without them."

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Torn Toure committed to Côte d'Ivoire cause

Yaya Toure has admitted he feels "guilty and confused" about leaving Manchester City to play in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (ANC), but says giving some kind of hope to the Côte d'Ivoire is paramount. Toure is set to join fellow Côte d'Ivoire international Didier Drogba, of Chelsea, for the tournament which starts in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea on 21 January.

Just a year after conflict over a presidential election brought Côte d'Ivoire to the brink of civil war, scenes of violence which accompanied recent elections have led to fears of another similar situation. Although there is no civil war as such to speak of in the west African country, Toure is quoted in several newspapers as saying: "Our country needs people like me and Didier Drogba at the moment.

"There is a war again and it's important we do what we can for our people. It is dangerous and people are afraid. The team, the club and the manager needs me and I do feel a little bit guilty and confused about leaving. But I have to go because my country is going through some difficult things with the war. City will cope."

The Manchester City midfielder may be allowed to delay his departure so he can figure in two key cup matches. City play city rivals United in the FA Cup third round on 8 January, with Liverpool visiting in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final three days later.

The Côte d'Ivoire would be within their rights to summon Toure - and brother Kolo - with FIFA rules stating that participating nations can call on players to report for duty up to 14 days before the start of a major tournament. However, Côte d'Ivoire counterpart Francois Zahoui played alongside City boss Roberto Mancini in Italy with Ascoli - and the latter hopes to have the Toure brothers in his squad for both cup matches.

Yaya Toure is adamant, however, that City's squad is strong enough to cope with the absence of the pair, should they be required to miss both ties. He added: "We have fantastic players who can take my place. I will not be away for a long time and I want to come back and help us win the league."

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