<p class="title">Ivory Coast coach Ibrahim Kamara's team selections raised eyebrows throughout the Africa Cup of Nations but even after their quarter-final exit to Algeria, he stuck to his guns, saying they had laid the foundations for a bright future.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Ivorians, who lost in a penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 in Suez on Thursday, had the potential to light up the tournament but never quite got the best out of their top players Nicolas Pepe and Wilfried Zaha.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Crystal Palace speedster Zaha was a surprise omission from the starting line-up in two group matches, while Kamara left Pepe out of the side for Thursday’s game.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pepe’s 22 goals for Lille in the last Ligue 1 season have made him a transfer target for several top clubs but he was unable to find the net in Egypt.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Zaha gave fleeting glimpses of his ability when selected but a lack of consistency was always going to make things difficult.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kamara said his selection decisions had been influenced by the opposition.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We did not change just for the sake of change,” said the coach, “but rather to solve the questions that our opponents asked of us.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">African champions in 2015 – at the end of a golden generation spearheaded by Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure – the Ivorians have been through three coaches in the four years since that triumph while looking to rebuild their team.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The likes of Pepe and Zaha are seen as key elements of a potentially exciting new generation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“To build a team takes time,” Kamara added after his side lost 4-3 on penalties.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“This Cup of Nations was an internship that allowed the younger players to understand and learn. This is a squad that will improve in future competitions.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kamara said he was confident Ivory Coast would be back to challenge again for the continental title and for a place at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Our next immediate target is the next Cup of Nations in 2021. It is necessary to prepare now, keep this same state of mind for future battles,” the coach added. </p>
<p class="title">Ivory Coast coach Ibrahim Kamara's team selections raised eyebrows throughout the Africa Cup of Nations but even after their quarter-final exit to Algeria, he stuck to his guns, saying they had laid the foundations for a bright future.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Ivorians, who lost in a penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 in Suez on Thursday, had the potential to light up the tournament but never quite got the best out of their top players Nicolas Pepe and Wilfried Zaha.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Crystal Palace speedster Zaha was a surprise omission from the starting line-up in two group matches, while Kamara left Pepe out of the side for Thursday’s game.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Pepe’s 22 goals for Lille in the last Ligue 1 season have made him a transfer target for several top clubs but he was unable to find the net in Egypt.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Zaha gave fleeting glimpses of his ability when selected but a lack of consistency was always going to make things difficult.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kamara said his selection decisions had been influenced by the opposition.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We did not change just for the sake of change,” said the coach, “but rather to solve the questions that our opponents asked of us.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">African champions in 2015 – at the end of a golden generation spearheaded by Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure – the Ivorians have been through three coaches in the four years since that triumph while looking to rebuild their team.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The likes of Pepe and Zaha are seen as key elements of a potentially exciting new generation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“To build a team takes time,” Kamara added after his side lost 4-3 on penalties.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“This Cup of Nations was an internship that allowed the younger players to understand and learn. This is a squad that will improve in future competitions.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kamara said he was confident Ivory Coast would be back to challenge again for the continental title and for a place at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Our next immediate target is the next Cup of Nations in 2021. It is necessary to prepare now, keep this same state of mind for future battles,” the coach added. </p>