Bakayoko aiming to continue scoring exploits

ABIDJAN (Reuters) -- The Ivory Coast will seek inspiration from the goal scoring exploits of Ibrahima Bakayoko as it goes into this month's African Nations Cup finals in neighboring Mali.

Bakayoko has scored 14 goals in 13 appearances for his country since the last Nations Cup finals in 2000, when the Ivorians failed to get past the first round of the tournament.

Ten of them were scored last year as the Elephants cruised through their Nations Cup qualifying campaign and also came close to a first place at the World Cup finals.

Bakayoko's exploits at international level has contrasted with his form had club level, although this season has seen a marked improved for the Marseille striker.

It is the second spell in France for Bakayoko, who also spent an unhappy season in England at Everton in the 1998-99 campaign.

Before that, he spent four seasons at Montpellier, where he first made his mark on the European club circuit.

Bakayoko, born in Seguele, started his career at Stade Abidjan and moved to France while still a teenager.

Mali will mark a fourth successive African Nations Cup appearance for the striker, who despite his rampant scoring form has scored just once before in the finals.

 

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