COTE D'IVOIRE'S DIDIER ZOKORA ENDS INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Ivorian midfielder Didier Zokora has announced his international retirement after more than a decade with the national team.


Zokora brings an end to Elephants career

“After 15-years at the highest level, I think it’s time for me to end my international career” the 33-year old said on the sidelines of a football tournament organized in his honour in the Abidjan suburb of Williamsville.

“It is time to give chance to the younger ones. In the game against Sierra Leone, I saw some young players who can validly fit in.”

Zokora nicknamed ‘Maestro’ enjoyed an illustrious playing career with the Elephants since making his debut in 2000. With a record 121 caps, he featured in five successive Africa Cup of Nations; 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013, as well the Elephants only three appearances at the World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014).

The defensive midfielder, currently on the books of Turkish side, Akhisar Belediyespor, is unarguably one of the best Ivorian football exports after stints in Racing Genk (Belgium), Saint-Etienne (France), Tottenham Hotspur (England), Sevilla (Spain) and Trabzonspor (Turkey).

He was a product of the ASEC Mimosas class of 1998 that won the CAF Champions League, beating Dynamos of Zimbabwe in the final.

Zokora is the latest high profile Ivorian player to announce his retirement after former captain Didier Drogba of English side, Chelsea fame.





cafonline.com