(Updates after France team announcement)
By Julien Pretot
MONTPELLIER, France, Aug 16 - France expect to be
tested by Ivory Coast, the side Thierry Henry tips as next
African champions, in a friendly on Wednesday.
After Zinedine Zidane announced his comeback to
international duty two weeks ago, along with Lilian Thuram and
Claude Makelele, all tickets for the game in the Stade de la
Mosson were sold in one day.
France are hoping for a good warm-up before resuming their
World Cup qualifying campaign in two weeks. They are fourth in
European Group Four behind leaders Ireland, Switzerland and
Israel.
"I expect a very, very difficult game," Arsenal striker
Henry told reporters. "It will be a very good game to prepare
for the Faroe Islands and the others."
France host the Faroe Islands in Lens on September 3 before
facing Ireland four days later. They meet Switzerland on October
8 and then host Cyprus at the Stade de France four days later.
Henry will face Arsenal team mate and centre-back Kolo Toure
against Ivory Coast.
"He's a solid and tough player," said Henry. "I play with
him every day on the training ground and I can tell you he wakes
me up."
AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
"We talked about the game with Kolo. They want to show their
qualities against France as many of them play in the French
league.
"I am sure they will be the next African champions," added
Henry.
Ivory Coast, who are led by former France coach Henri
Michel, are top of their African zone group and will qualify for
the World Cup finals in Germany should they beat Cameroon at
home on September 4.
"If we beat France and do not qualify for the World Cup, I'm
not interested. But I'm interested in beating France and then
qualifying for the World Cup," said Ivory Coast federation
president Jacques Amena.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and RC Lens forward Aruna
Dindane spearhead Ivory Coast's attack and will be up against
Thuram and his central defensive partner Jean-Alain Boumsong.
Henry starts up front with Olympique Lyon's Sylvain Wiltord,
his former Arsenal colleague.
Teams:
France - Gregory Coupet; Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram,
Jean-Alain Boumsong, William Gallas; Patrick Vieira, Claude
Makelele, Vikash Dhorasoo, Zinedine Zidane; Sylvain Wiltord,
Thierry Henry
Ivory Coast - Jean-Jacques Tizie; Marc Zoro, Cyril Domoraud,
Kolo Toure, Arthur Boka, Emerse Fae, Didier Zokora, Bonaventure
Kalou, Siaka Tiene; Didier Drogba, Aruna Dindane
Referee - Paolo Bertini (Italy)