Bamba sure of Olympics success

By Piers Edwards
BBC Sport, Dakar

Bamba led Ivory Coast to qualify for the Olympic Games

Ivory Coast defender Souleymane Bamba believes his Olympic side can spring a major surprise in Beijing later this year.

The Ivorians are one of Africa's three entrants to the Olympics' football tournament, joining Cameroon and Nigeria after they topped Group B in style.

After losing their opening qualifier, the Ivorians won their remaining five and are now targeting the title even though it is their maiden Olympic appearance.

"We want to go to Beijing to win the competition," the 23-year-old, who captained his side in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Senegal, told BBC Sport.

"I know it's the first time we're in the Olympics but we're confident because we have a good team and some players from the first team are coming down to play for us as well.

"When you start a competition, you always want to win it - and I think we have a good chance."

After Ivory Coast booked their place in Beijing last year, star striker Didier Drogba expressed his desire to play in the finals, which take place between 6-23 August.

I know it's the first time we're in the Olympics but we're confident because we have a good team Souleymane Bamba

The national team captain is likely to be joined by Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou, who scored in the 4-1 win over Zambia in November which booked the Ivorians' ticket to China.

"Having these guys is a big plus for us, even though it's not easy for players in the first team to come down," says Bamba, who plays for Scotland's Dunfermline Athletic.

"But Kalou wants to come, Drogba too, and maybe we will have a strong team - that's why I say we're going there to win the competition."

The Olympic side also features another senior international in the shape of 20-year-old Gervais Yao Kouassi.

The rising star of Ivorian football, who plays for Le Mans in France, hopes Beijing can make up for this year's Nations Cup, where he made two fleeting substitute appearances.

"We're not going there to be tourists but to go as far as we can," the forward told BBC Sport.

"We hope to win the Olympics so that we can forget the disappointment of the Nations Cup, and then hopefully our people will have a trophy this year."

We're not going there to be tourists but to go as far as we can Gervinho

Olympic coach Gerard Gili, who took charge of the Elephants at Ghana 2008 after regular coach Uli Stielike was called away to look after his dying son, echoed these sentiments.

"If we can have a bit of luck, our tournament could be very interesting," the Frenchman told the BBC.

Gili's side showed their mettle when winning their final qualifier 2-1 in Senegal on Wednesday, despite playing the last 50 minutes with only ten men.

Ivory Coast will discover their group opponents on 20 April when the draw is made for the Olympic tournament in Beijing.

Sixteen nations will be taking part in China, including the defending champions Argentina.