THE UNLOVED ONE!

The Ivory Coast Football Federation says it is aware many in the country would like to see the national team coach Sabri Lamouchi depart before midnight, but calls for patience and support to enable the Frenchman achieve his chief objective of qualifying the Elephants to the 2014 World Cup.

Speaking to reporters in the country’s commercial capital Abdjan on Thursday, the body’s vice chairman Sorry Diabate refuted media reports that the coach earns a whopping $260,000 (R2.5m) per month, which has sparked off criticisms from across the nation.

“That was another rumour from the many haters of coach Sabri Lamouchi,” Diabate said. “We know many Ivorians don’t appreciate him, but he is doing his job gradually. We don’t have any other choice but to support him ahead of the World Cup playoff.”

The 41-year-old former Monaco, Inter and Marseille midfielder was appointed in May 2012 to succeed Ivorian Francois Zahoui who led the Elephants to final of the Africa Cup of Nations that same year.
Born in Tunisia, Lamouchi had never managed any team before taking the Ivorian job, which many locals consider as a shame to the FA.