Kolo Toure Details how Missing AFCON Helped Him Succeed in Arsenal’s Invincibles Team

• Kolo Toure is considered one of the best defenders Africa has produced
• The veteran was part of Arsenal’s Invincibles,, who went unbeaten in 2004
• Toure recently opened up on how missing the AFCON helped his career at Arsenal

Former Arsenal man Kolo Toure has detailed how his nation’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations two decades ago turned out to be a blessing in disguise for his career.

The 2004 edition of the African spectacle had some notable absentees, including Ivory Coast, who somehow failed to qualify for the tournament despite their star-studded team, including Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure.

Back then, the AFCON was only graced by 16 teams, and in the absence of some heavy hitters, some countries like Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Benin were making their first appearance in the competition.

Held in Tunisia, the tournament was dominated by North African nations, as the hosts went all the way to win the trophy by beating Morocco 2-1 in the final.

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Kolo Toure on missing the AFCON

We will never know how far Tunisia would have gone in the tournament if teams like Ivory Coast made it to the finals.

For Kolo Toure he was expectedly distraught after his nation missed out on the most prestigious competition in Africa, but something good came out of it.

The 2004 AFCON happened at the same time Arsenal were genuine contenders for the Premier League title.

The Gunners, under Arsene Wenger, were on a roll in the league and were on an unbeaten run thanks to a sturdy defence which included legends like Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Philip Senderos, Stathis Tavlaridis and, of course, Toure, as per Transfermarkt.

With so many talented players at the back, Toure found it highly competitive to fight for a place in Wenger’s squad, as he revealed on the Arsenal website.

"Honestly, I’m telling you, training was like war! There was some fighting sometimes because everybody was desperate for their position. It was so intense – every day. A few things happened, and I was like: “wow.”

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Asked how it felt missing the AFCON, Toure admitted a good thing came out of it since he could retain his place as a regular starter in the legendary ‘Invincibles’ squad.

He went on, “Yes, exactly. When we didn’t qualify, we were very disappointed, and I loved playing for my country. But who knows, maybe I wouldn’t have got my place back at Arsenal that season if I went away for a few weeks. That’s why in life luck is so important too, and I thank Allah as well.”

Ivory Coast favourites for 2023 AFCON

Two decades later, the footballing landscape has changed considerably.

The Ivory Coast is hosting the 2023 edition of the AFCON, and according to Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi, the Elephants are the favourites to win it.

As Sports Brief reported, Belmadi named five other teams which he claims are in a better position to take the crown, excluding his side.

Having failed to reach the knockout stages in the 2021 TotalEnergies AFCON, Algeria will have the chance to make amends in this year’s edition as they are in a group where they can easily be considered favourites.