Heart of Lions Overview

The World Cup has a remarkable ability to completely alter the course of careers. There is no grander stage in the game, meaning impressive performances garner the kind of acclaim and attention that is simply not possible in any other arena. Consequently, the transfer market tends to go wild in and around World Cups, as clubs scramble to snap up previously hidden gems or suddenly established stars.

Danny Murphy left television viewers taken aback during a recent World Cup broadcast on the BBC after sharing a bizarre story about his lost cat, Bob. The unexpected anecdote unfolded during the second half of the round of 32 clash between the Ivory Coast and Norway, sparking a flurry of mixed reactions across social media and drawing comparisons to comedic character Alan Partridge.

Former South Africa coach Philippe Troussier has made a bold claim regarding the potential of African football, suggesting that the continent is finally ready to reach the summit of the global game. As the ongoing global showpiece reaches its business end, the Frenchman believes the gap between Africa and the traditional powerhouses has narrowed significantly.

The knockout stages are upon us. We’ve got three Ivory Coast vs Norway predictions for their World Cup Round of 32 clash on Tuesday, 30 June.