Ghislain Kona, the left side of the Elephants spoke to frica Africa News24 after the elimination against Egypt in the round of 16 of CAN 2021. He takes stock of his CAN while projecting himself on his future.
Gaslain Konan was very prominent in his left lane during CAN 2021.
Ghislain Konan, looking back, how do you feel after this CAN elimination?
What did you miss to pass the Egyptian course?
I think we lacked efficiency. We matched the Egyptians. We weren’t realistic like against Algeria. And in every penalty shootout, there is a player who misses his . Lack of luck, it fell on us. We must remobilize for the upcoming deadlines .
“On the ground, we were united”
Ghislain Konan: The atmosphere was incredible before the defeat. I have rarely seen that and I would like to take advantage of your window to say thank you to the executives. From the preparation in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to Douala, they did everything to make young people like me, Konaté Karim and the others feel comfortable. They put themselves on the same level as us to facilitate our integration. It allowed me to express the full extent of my talent. On the pitch everyone could see, despite the disappointing final result, that we were in solidarity with each other.
On a personal level, you have been dazzling. What explains this sparkling form during the competition?
Ghislain Konan: I thank God for sparing me injuries. Health is essential to make a great tournament. I prepared well for this AFCON. The executives facilitated my return to selection. The support from my fans has been overwhelming. I knew that I shouldn’t miss my first major tournament. I am happy that personally things went well. They would have been better if we came home with the trophy.
Precisely speaking of your fans, they compare you more and more to Boka Arthur…
(He smiles) I am very happy to be compared to Boka Arthur. For someone who grew up with the poster of the best Ivorian left side of the decade, it’s an honor. But Boka, to tell the truth, is the top level. When I was training at the Mimosifcom Academy of Asec Mimosas in Abidjan, where he also took his first steps, I only dreamed of one thing, which was to wear the number 3 he wore with the Elephants’ orange tunic. In addition, the selection came to train at Sol Beni, Asec training center, when I was a kid. My eyes lit up…I realized my dream this year at the CAN. It’s very emotional but at the same time it means that I have to work to stay on top for the next decade.
Your return to the selection, when Hassane Kamara had taken power as left-back, is also the fruit of the work in the club…
(cuts) Absolutely. I didn’t steal anything. The results of my first part of the season have been very positive. Reims changed coach at the start of the season with the arrival of Oscar Garcia. I knew I was going to start my job but I didn’t give up. I showed the coach that I had some under the hood. And my goal against Clermont, in the first part of the season, in front of my father, in the 90th minute, was the high point.
“Go as high as possible given my potential”
Ghislain Konan: To be honest, I have never hidden my ambitions from my leaders. At this level, they and I are in phase. They know I care about the club because they revealed to me when I arrived in Ligue 1 from Portugal.
However, I always wanted to go higher because of the potential God gave me. I would have this possibility in the days to come ( He is leaving for Fenerbahçe in Turkey, Editor’s note ).
The next deadline for the Elephants is in March against England at Wembley, in a friendly. Could this remobilize the fans?
Hard to say but I have a message for our supporters and I will be brief. I would like to say thank you to them for the support. When things are going well, they are with us. When things are bad too, even if they don’t hesitate to taunt us. This selection has enormous potential. She will be better at CAN 2023. They will really see what she is capable of.
Gaslain Konan was very prominent in his left lane during CAN 2021.
From our special correspondent in Douala { Cameroon}
Witten by: Eric Barry @ africanews24.digital
