A powerful centre-back, Blaise Kouassi looks to have won the battle to become Kolo Toure's partner at the heart of the Elephants defence. The 31-year-old, who made his international debut in 1997, faces strong competition from Abdoulaye Meite and Cyrille Domoraud for the role. However, coach Henri Michel seemingly indicated his plans for the World Cup by starting with Kouassi in four of his side's 2006 African Cup of Nations matches, including the final. Best known for conceding a penalty in that final against Egypt, Kouassi, like many of his international team-mates, started his career at ASEC Abidjan's famous youth academy. He moved to France with Guingamp in 2000 and then on to Troyes in the summer of 2005.