This article is part of the Guardian’s World Cup 2014 Experts’ Network, a co-operation between 32 of the best media organisations from the countries who have qualified for the finals in Brazil. theguardian.com is running previews from four countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 12 June.
Didier Drogba
As a teenager Drogba was banned from playing football for a year by his parents after failing school exams. At the age of five he travelled to Brittany to stay with his uncle Michel Goba, who was a professional footballer, and did not see his parents again until he return back home three years later.
Geoffroy Serey Die
The Basel midfielder was once banned for eight games for slapping a ball boy. Serey Die struck the young boy after Sion lost 1-0 against relegation rivals Lausanne-Sport on May 2, 2012.
Serge Aurier
The young right-back was signed by the French club Lens in 2006 – on the same days as his brother Christopher. Serge is now with Toulouse while Christopher is still with Lens.
Didier Ya Konan
Striker Didier Ya Konan had trials with Charlton Athletic in 2006. He eventually joined Norwegian side Rosenborg and now plays for Hannover in Germany.
Boubacar Barry
At the age of 16 Boubacar Barry was so desperate to be given a place at Asec Abidjan’s academy that he bombarded the academy’s director with letters. After being told that the only vacancies remaining were for goalkeepers, he applied for one of them even though he had never played in the position before. He has gone on to win almost 100 caps in goal for his country.
François Kouakou writes for Challenge