In difficulty in Group A, AS Vita Club will have to achieve a faultless during the last two days, facing Simba SC first on April 3, then Al-Merreikh (Sudan) a week later in Kinshasa. When approaching these two crucial meetings, Ousmane Ouattara (27), the Ivorian international defender (7 caps), former player of Séwé Sport and FC San Pedro, now vice-captain of the Congolese club, has answered questions from Africanews24.digital

Ousmane Ouattara, this match against the Tanzanians of Simba SC in Dar es Salaam sounds a bit like the last chance, against the unexpected leader of the group …

We are only four points behind (six behind the Tanzanians and three behind the Egyptians of Al-Ahly), and if we are to maintain any hope of qualifying for the quarter-finals, we absolutely have to win our last two matches. . And we also have a revenge to take, because Simba won the first leg in Kinshasa (1-0, February 12). They are a good team, but we also have our arguments, although some players will be absent. I believe that defeat against Simba, for the first match of the group stage, put us in difficulty in the standings, because we also had good performances away from home afterwards (4-1 victory at Al-Merreikh , draw 2-2 in Cairo against Al-Ahly).

Were you able to prepare for this match properly, just after the FIFA dates?

This is not obvious. We arrived in Tanzania on Thursday afternoon. We have injuries, and players coming back from selection, which is my case. The internationals have traveled a lot, there is fatigue. There are also Congolese who were with the Leopards. I believe they were mentally affected by the elimination of DR Congo in qualifying for the CAN. But we have a good squad, with good players, and even though we have some absentees, I’m confident. I think we can do a good result.

Congolese football is going through a difficult period: the national team has just suffered a failure with this elimination, while AS Vita Club and TP Mazembe are in difficulty in the CAF Champions League …

That is true. I don’t really have an explanation. Football is like that, there are ups and downs. At the moment, it’s a bit difficult, but I have confidence, because the DR Congo is a great football country.

         “Côte d’Ivoire will be one of the favorites at the next CAN”

You joined the As Vita Club in July 2019, when you had other proposals elsewhere, financially more interesting. Why did you make this choice?

I had proposals in the Maghreb, where I could have earned more money. But I was first interested in the sports project. AS Vita is one of the best African clubs, it participates very regularly in the Champions League. It was an opportunity for me to benefit from a good exposure, since the matches are broadcast. The presence of Florent Ibenge, Vita’s trainer, also influenced me. He is a high-level technician, recognized in Africa. He is very human, loyal, and if I signed to Vita, it was also because I wanted to work with him.

You will be at the end of your contract on June 30th. Do you have a little more visibility on your future?

I have a great relationship with my coach, my managers, my teammates, and I think the supporters like me. We haven’t talked about the future yet. I also know that I am 27 years old. I won’t hide from you that I want to try my luck in Europe. My agents are working. But I feel good in Kinshasa, where I quickly adapted to local life. It reminds me of Abidjan. Things are going well with my teammates, including those who speak little or no French. We always manage to communicate. I will know more about my future in a few weeks.

You have found the Ivorian national team, during the two qualifying matches for the CAN, against Niger (3-0) and Ethiopia, but without playing a single minute …

I would have liked to play a bit, of course. But I spoke about it with Patrice Beaumelle, our coach, he told me to continue working and that I will play soon. In June, we will have qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup, I will do my best to be called up again. But it did me good to find the selection. The last time was in 2017, with Marc Wilmots, in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Côte d’Ivoire has turned the page of CAN 2019. We have a young team, with older and more experienced players. We saw, during the two matches in March, the quality of this group, while several players were absent. I think that with Algeria, Morocco, Senegal or Cameroon, the Elephants will be among the favorites of the next African Cup of Nations (CAN