Ayyoub Bouaddi has been widely celebrated as Africa’s breakout player of the World Cup following his accomplished display against Brazil in Morocco’s opener. Ivory Coast’s 20-year-old Christ Inao Oulai produced a performance against Germany that has prompted comparisons to Bouaddi and renewed attention on West African emerging talent.
Ivory Coast lost 2-1 to Germany after Deniz Undav scored a late double. Franck Kessie had given the Elephants the lead, and Simon Adingra missed a chance to secure the result. Despite the outcome, Ivory Coast largely outshone the four-time winners in a vibrant first half and managed the game well in the second, only to concede in the 94th minute.
Coach Emerse Faé fielded the youngest squad at the tournament, an XI with an average age of 25.35, and made clear he trusts the next generation. Nineteen-year-old Yan Diomande and 23-year-old Amad Diallo occupied the flanks, while 22-year-old Ange-Yoan Bonny made his first competitive start. Faé left Seko Fofana on the bench and deployed 20-year-old Inao Oulai in midfield to protect the defence.
Inao, a Trabzonspor youngster who had already attracted attention at the Africa Cup of Nations, finished the match with 73 touches — more than any other Ivorian and with only five Germans recording more. He completed 90 percent of his passes, made four tackles, and completed five successful dribbles, the most by any player on the pitch, helping to break lines and relieve pressure on his teammates. Like Bouaddi against Brazil, Inao was central to what went right for the Elephants.
Reports in the Turkish press have linked the midfielder with Barcelona. Faé said he was not surprised by Inao’s performance, praising the player’s qualities, composure and confidence, noting that the youngster showed the same attitude regardless of the opponent and delivered a textbook display in his World Cup debut.
