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African Nations Cup roundup Bakayoko returns home from 'living nightmare'
Posted: Saturday February 05, 2000 07:53 PM
MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) -- Ibrahima Bakayoko returned to Olympique Marseille on Saturday from what he described as an Ivory Coast nightmare. The Ivory Coast squad were interned in an army camp by their country's military ruler as punishment for their African Nations' Cup elimination on Monday. "We were really frightened when the plane landed at Yamossoukro and not Abidjan as originally scheduled. It was dark, we were surrounded by armed soldiers," Bakayoko said. "We felt like we were living a nightmare. We could never have imagined such a thing. "The solidarity of the players helped us through the hardest moments.' Asked if he would play for the Ivory Coast again, Bakayoko said: 'That's a decision the whole squad will have to take together.' Military ruler Robert Guei told the players before releasing them on Thursday they had not honored their country and needed to learn team spirit, patriotism and discpline. Guei threatened them with military service in the future if they did not heed the lessons. Ivory Coast failed to reach the quarter-finals after finishing outside the top two in their first round group. "I accept the criticism and the disappointment of the [Ivorian] people," Bakayoko said. "We had the means to do well in the African Nations' Cup, especially with the large number of professionals in our squad. But it's inconceivable to go to such extremes after our elimination." Moroccan papers call for coach's dismissalMoroccan papers on Saturday called for national soccer coach Henri Michel to be sacked following Morocco's failure to progress beyond the group stage of the African Nations' Cup. "Henri Michel and some players have to bow out because this well-deserved elimination dealt a knockout to Morocco's bid to host the World Cup in 2006," the pro-government Al Alam daily said. Morocco is one of five countries bidding to host the finals. Al Bayane newspaper said the Moroccan squad which earned the "Atlas Lions" nickname for their heroic performances in the 1998 World Cup finals in France showed a weak side in the African Nations' Cup and became "Lions in paper." The team, boasting several players based with top European clubs, managed just one goal in three group matches. "After the masquerade in Lagos the authorities have to take decisive action to prepare a new era for Moroccan soccer," said Al Ittihad al Ichtiraki.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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