Max Gradel: Ivory Coast Midfielder Compares 2015 Winning Squad With the Current AFCON 2023 Team

• Max Gradel seeks to guide Ivory Coast to another Africa Cup of Nations trophy
• The Gaziantep midfielder was part of the Cote d’Ivoire winning squad in 2015
• The 36-year-old cautions against drawing parallels between the different squads

Cote d’Ivoire midfielder, Max Gradel, has been here before.

As the captain of Ivory Coast, he brings a wealth of experience to the pitch.

He was a pivotal member of the Ivorian squad that narrowly missed out on the title to Zambia in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Fast forward to the 2015 tournament in Equatorial Guinea, Gradel's 86th-minute equalizer in a group match against Mali would fuel the team's drive for eventual victory.

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The Gaziantep midfielder earned a well-deserved spot in the tournament's team of the game.

He is now trying to do it again but with different players.

In a press conference on Tuesday, February 6, Gradel cautioned against drawing direct parallels between the different generations of Elephants, stressing that each cohort of players adds its chapter to the national team's rich history.

Speaking ahead of the AFCON 2023 semi-final clash against DR Congo, the 36-year-old stressed the unity among the players, highlighting that all representing the nation are part of one family.

"It is true that the two AFCONs are different. Every AFCON has its own story because, first of all, we are playing at home, making it a special AFCON. The more we move forward the more we feel stronger,” Gradel said, as captured by Sports Brief.

Reflecting on the ongoing tournament, Gradel acknowledges the unique circumstances of this year's tournament, notably the privilege of playing on home soil, which adds an extra layer of significance to the competition. He expresses confidence in the team's progression, crediting their growing strength as they advanced.

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The veteran midfielder also underscored the importance of humility and respect towards opponents, recognizing the role of home support in bolstering their performance.

"It is also important we don't go ahead of ourselves, respecting our opponents and doing the right things to achieve our aim,” he added.

Echoing Gradel's sentiments, head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, exuded confidence ahead of the crucial encounter, asserting that the pressure lies squarely on their rivals, Nigeria.

Gasset highlighted the blend of experienced players and AFCON debutants within the Ivorian squad, stressing the team's collective relief and determination to excel.

“We are relieved; the pressure was so strong. We had seven players who started the match who were playing in their first AFCON. Not everything went well, but we are relieved. All the matches we have seen have a different scenario,” Gasset said, as reported by Naija Times.

In their opening Group A fixture, Cote d’Ivoire secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau, while the Super Eagles struggled to a 1-1 draw against the same opponents. With a rich history of success, including titles in 1992 and 2015, Ivory Coast aims to add a third African crown to their collection, propelled by a roster of talented individuals.

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The hosts tackle the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, February 7, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

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Sports Brief reported Sebastian Desabre's disbelief in Ivory Coast's fatigue ahead of the AFCON semi-final clash after playing back-to-back extra-time games.

The Elephants needed penalty shootouts to defeat defending champions Senegal and another 120th-minute winner against Mali to seal a spot in the semi-final.

Desabre reckons that Ivory Coast’s longer game time will not be an advantage for his team.