Uncertainty surrounds Ivory Coast



With 90 days to go until the World Cup in South Africa, the Ivory Coast still do not know who their manager is going to be. Despite media reports on Wednesday stating that the Frenchman Philippe Troussier had been appointed to lead the team this summer, the Ivory Coast Football Federation (ICFF) say they has not chosen a coach. The Ivory Coast sacked the Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic last month after the team failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations and there have been differing reports around the world on who will be "The Elephants" next manager.

The Dutch national broadcaster NOS reported that Guus Hiddink, the favourite for the job, has agreed a two-month contract before starting his job as Turkey manager, while reports from Japan said that Troussier, who has coached Nigeria, South Africa and the Ivory Coast, would lead the Ivorians at the World Cup. Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England and Mexico manager, has also been strongly linked with the role.

But Jacques Anouma, the ICFF president, said he had met candidates "but no one has yet been chosen". Hiddink's adviser, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen, said yesterday that the Dutchman wants to end his contract with the Russian FA as soon as possible so he can consider an offer from the Ivory Coast to coach them at the World Cup. "I hope his contract situation would be settled before the end of this month or even sooner," van Nieuwenhuizen said. "We must be fair to the Ivory Coast and give them a definite answer in the next couple of weeks,"

Hiddink's contract with Russia expires on July 15, and he is set to start as Turkey's new coach from August 1. * With agencies

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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if you go

The flights

Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return. 

The trek

Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required. 

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The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

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Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
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Seven tips from Emirates NBD

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RESULTS
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