Mickaël Poté was one step away from choosing Ivory Coast!

He could have donned the Elephants’ jersey, but it was with the Cheetahs that Mickaël Poté forged his remarkable story. The former star striker for the Benin national team, with 69 caps and 10 goals to his name, looks back on this decisive choice.

Born in Lyon to an Ivorian father and a Beninese mother, Poté grew up immersed in Ivorian culture:

“As early as 16, I was approached by Ivory Coast. I was clearly closer to them than to Benin. At that time, Benin’s football wasn’t exactly a dream…” he admits candidly in an interview with Kpakpato Sportif.

“My father already saw me as the new Drogba!”

However, a turning point came in Cannes under the guidance of Michel Dussuyer. The coach, who would later manage Benin, offered him a chance to join the Benin squad without any firm commitment. Curious, Poté accepted the trial.

In 2008, he earned his first cap, even at the risk of disappointing his father: “He already saw me as the new Drogba! (laughs) But let’s be honest: at that time, competition in Ivory Coast was fierce.”

Ultimately, this calculated choice opened the door to a fantastic international adventure, crowned by a historic run at AFCON 2019. A gamble that turned into national pride.

Mickaël Poté’s comments on video:

Amine Jomni |

Editorfr

African football writer and sports journalist covering football news, stories and insights while sharing his expertise with fans across the continent.