Don’t confuse the flags at Dubai’s Irish Village when the Ivorians are in action

Fofana Bouakey, an economic adviser at the Consulate of Ivory Coast in Dubai, is upbeat on his country's chances at the World Cup in Brazil. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National / June 11, 2014

ABU DHABI // Ivorians are invited to Dubai’s Irish Village to see their team play in this year’s World Cup.

As in 2010, the consulate has again arranged for each game to be shown on the big screen at the venue, providing the perfect place to watch the action.

The team face off against Japan in their first outing of the tournament, at 5am UAE time on June 15.

Their other opponents in Group C are Columbia and Greece.

Ivory Coast, ranked No 21, have appeared in two other World Cups, but never made it past the group stage, first in 2006 and then in 2010.

The team will be bolstered by league football heavyweights Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Gervinho.

“We want as many people to come along to the Irish Village as possible to come together and watch the games,” said Fofana Bouakey, economic advisor at the Consulate of Cote d’Ivoire. “We will be printing flags for the supporters to make sure they can cheer on our team.”

Mr Bouakey has lived in the UAE since 2001, and is a keen footballer himself.

He even has footballing roots – his uncle, Youssouf Falikou Fofana, was a star striker for the national side from 1983 to 1992.

He was referred to as “the dribbler” and “the black diamond” by local supporters.

Fofana also played for ASEC Mimosas, AS Cannes, AS Monaco FC, Girondins de Bordeaux, Karsiyaka SK.

“I still play football almost every day, and my two sons are also very much into the sport. It is in our blood,” Mr Bouakey said. “I am 40 now, so there is no chance I will be a star player, but I like it for exercise and for entertainment.

“Football is a very big deal in the Ivory Coast. I don’t know how to explain it exactly. Ivorians love football and – you have to see it for yourself to see how we celebrate.

He has high hopes for his national side during the Brazil competition.

“I think the team will do very well – our first match with Japan I hope, and am 85 per cent sure we can win the match. Also the second with Colombia I hope we can win too – maybe 75 per cent sure we can win.

“Greece I am not so sure about, but I really hope that we can do well.

The UAE’s Ivorian community, although small, is close-knit.

“Watching the World Cup in the UAE is great for Ivory Coast supporters,” said Traore Ben, 41. “We all come together in the same place to watch the games.”

Mr Ben has lived in the UAE for 10 years and does volunteer work with the Ivorian community. He said that there are no more than 200 Ivoirians living in Dubai.

“There are a lot of people that come to watch the games there and supporters from the other teams as well. Other people from other African countries often come to watch the games to, it is a great atmosphere.”

Mr Ben believes his team has a good chance to make it past the group stage.

“For us it is not such a tough group – we can get out of the first group definitely. Maybe we will make it to the semi-finals.

“We are expecting great things from them. Individually there are great talents in the team, but they have to be strong as a team. They have to have the mentality of a team – it doesn’t matter if you have the best players in the world – they have to work as a together,” he said.