This will be the ninth Nations Cup in a row for Ivory Coast, a record which reflects the consistency of the team.

The highest point came in 1992 when they became African champions after beating Ghana 11-10 on penalties in the final.

As defending champions at Tunisia '94, Ivory Coast came third.

Some may imagine that the Christmas Eve coup in Abidjan may have damaged the Elephants' chances of reaching those heights again, but preparations were virtually unaffected.

Coach Martin Tia Gbonke will look towards French club Marseille's star Ibrahima Bakayoko to give the team its edge.

The side can also boast the impressive Lassina Diabate, who is on top of his game with French side Bordeaux, and Bonaventure Kalou who has been one of Feyenoord of Holland's brightest lights in their Champions League campaign.

The Elephants' Orange and Green army of fans will also take to the road across the border to back their heroes in neighbouring Ghana.

Ivory Coast squad
		Coach: Martin Tia Gbonke
		Alain Gouamene	Toulouse, France
		Lassina Dao	Africa Sports
		Patrice Zere	Lokeren, Belgium
		Lassina Diabate	Bordeaux, France
		Ghislain Akassou	Lugano, Switzerland
		Olivier Tebily	Glasgow Celtic, Scotland
		Ibrahima Kone	Africa Sports
		Didier Angan	Nice, France
		Blaise Kouassi Koffi	ASEC Abidjan
		Ibrahim Bakayoko	Marseille, France
		Hamed Modibo Diallo	Le Havre, France
		Serge Die	Reggina, Italy
		Aliou Siby Badra	ASEC Abidjan
		Tchiressoa Guel	St Etienne, France
		Bonaventure Kalou	Feyenoord, Netherlands
		Seydou Diarra	ASEC Abidjan
		Cyrille Domoraud	Inter Milan, Italy
		Charles Dago	Lokeren, Belgium
		Dominique Sam Abouo	Lokeren, Belgium
		Zephirin Zoko	ASEC Abidjan
		Donald-Olivier Sie	Racing Club Paris, France
		Jean-Jacques Tizie	Africa Sports