Didier Zokora
Personal information
Full name	Alain Didier Zokora Deguy
Date of birth	14 December 1980 (1980-12-14) (age 29)
Place of birth	Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position	Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current club	Sevilla
Number	8
Youth career
	ASEC Mimosas
Senior career1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2000–2004 2004–2006 2006–2009 2009–	Racing Genk Saint-Étienne Tottenham Hotspur Sevilla	126 (1) 066 (2) 088 (0) 0 9 (0)
National team2
2000–	Cote d'Ivoire	075 (1)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 9/9/2009 (UTC). 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 9/9/2009. * Appearances (Goals)

Didier Zokora (born Alain Didier Zokora Deguy on 14 December 1980 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire) is an Ivorian footballer who plays the position of midfielder. He joined the La Liga team Sevilla FC in the summer of 2009. Zokora plays in a defensive role and is a strong tactical player in the middle of the park.

[edit] Club career

[edit] Early career

Zokora started his career in Côte d'Ivoire at the famed youth academy of Mimosas. In 2000 he moved abroad to play for Belgian team Racing Genk. In the summer of 2004 he went to play for AS Saint-Étienne in France.

[edit] Tottenham Hotspur

Zokora joined Tottenham for €8.2m in the summer of 2006 as a result of his World Cup performance for the Ivory Coast, Zokora was wanted by Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal but rejected their advances as he wanted to make a move that would give him more chance of playing.^[1][2]

Over the 3 years he was at the club he has became a firm favourite amongst the 'Tottenham faithful'. The chant sung for Zokora, is to the theme tune of "Lets all do the Conga" Do-do-do Didier Zokora.^[3] Although he was at the club for 3 years, he failed to score in over 130 appearances and will be best remembered for his terrible miss in the 80th minute of the 2008 Football League Cup Final after missing two clear shots on goal, the second being balloned over the bar when the goalkeeper was on the floor. Spurs went on to win the match in extra time, courtesy of a header from Jonathan Woodgate. He didn't watch Dimitar Berbatov score his penalty. He only knew he had scored through the crowd reaction. He never watches penalties because he believes it gives the taker luck. He was also part of the Tottenham side which returned to Wembley Stadium the following year to play in the 2009 Football League Cup Final this time against Manchester United. Tottenham lost this game on penalties after the sides drew 0-0 after extra time. Zokora did manage to score a penalty in the shoot-out against PSV Eindhoven in the Uefa Cup.^[4][5]

[edit] Sevilla FC

In the summer transfer period of 2009 Zokora signed for Sevilla FC for € 9 million euro. (c.£8 million) ^[6][7][8] Zokora made his debut for Sevilla FC on August 30, 2009 in the first round of the La Liga season away to Valencia CF.

[edit] International career

Zokora has also played 75 international matches for the Côte d'Ivoire national football team, as of October 2008.^[9]

[edit] Goals for Senior National Team

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
	22 June 2008	Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire	Botswana	4-0	Won	2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification

[edit] Honours

KRC Genk

• Belgian First Division

Tottenham Hotspur

• Carling Cup: 2007-08
• Runners up medal 2008-09.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Tottenham Hotspur profile

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Didier Zokora

• Didier Zokora FIFA competition record
• Didier Zokora career stats at Soccerbase
• Zokora interview at The Guardian

v • d • e Côte d'Ivoire squad – 2006 Africa Cup of Nations Runners-up 1 Tizié • 2 Akalé • 3 Boka • 4 K. Touré • 5 Zokora • 6 Kouassi • 7 Faé • 8 Kalou • 9 A. Koné • 10 Yapi Yapo • 11 Drogba • 12 Méïté • 13 Zoro • 14 B. Koné • 15 Dindane • 16 Gnanhouan • 17 Domoraud • 18 Keïta • 19 Y. Touré • 20 Demel • 21 Eboué • 22 Romaric • 23 Barry • Coach: Michel

v • d • e Côte d'Ivoire squad – 2006 FIFA World Cup 1 Tizié • 2 Akalé • 3 Boka • 4 K. Touré • 5 Zokora • 6 Kouassi • 7 Faé • 8 Kalou • 9 A. Koné • 10 Yapi Yapo • 11 Drogba • 12 Méïté • 13 Zoro • 14 B. Koné • 15 Dindane • 16 Gnanhouan • 17 Domoraud • 18 Keïta • 19 Y. Touré • 20 Demel • 21 Eboué • 22 Romaric • 23 Barry • Coach: Michel

v • d • e Côte d'Ivoire squad – 2008 Africa Cup of Nations Fourth Place 1 Barry • 2 Djakpa • 3 Boka • 4 K. Touré • 5 Zokora • 6 Gohouri • 7 Faé • 8 S.Kalou • 9 A. Koné • 10 Gervinho • 11 Drogba • 12 Méïté • 13 Romaric • 14 B. Koné • 15 Dindane • 16 Loboué • 17 Tiéné • 18 Keïta • 19 Y. Touré • 20 Sanogo • 21 Eboué • 22 Zoro • 23 T. Koné • Coach: Gili