Didier Otokoré
Encyclopedia
Didier Otokoré is a retired Ivorian
footballer who played mostly as an attacking midfielder.
Best known for his spell with AJ Auxerre
, he spent most of his career in France
.
, going on to finish his football grooming in the club's youth system, under legendary first-team coach Guy Roux. Never an undisputed starter during his six years in the main squad (tops 23 Ligue 1
matches in 1989–90, mostly as a substitute), he did manage to be relatively used. Also during that season, but in the UEFA Cup, he arguably had his most memorable performance for the club, scoring twice in a 3–1 win at NK Dinamo Zagreb, after a 0–1 home loss.
Otokoré then split 1993–94 with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
and AS Cannes
, returning two years later to Auxerre, without any impact. After a couple of seasons in the second level
with CS Louhans-Cuiseaux
, he took his game to the United Arab Emirates
, then returned in 2000 to France
, with amateurs FC Bourg-Peronnas
, retiring in 2001.
, Otokoré was eligible to represent France
internationally, being summoned for its Espoirs
in February 1988; however, a judicial battle between both Football Federations ensued, and the player ended up playing for Ivory Coast
; in his first match, at the 1988 African Cup of Nations
, on March 16, against Zaire
, he played 60 minutes, being immediately sent home afterwards.
Otokoré also represented the nation at the 1992 edition
.
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
footballer who played mostly as an attacking midfielder.
Best known for his spell with AJ Auxerre
AJ Auxerre
Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the...
, he spent most of his career in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Club career
Otokoré was signed at just 16 by AJ AuxerreAJ Auxerre
Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the...
, going on to finish his football grooming in the club's youth system, under legendary first-team coach Guy Roux. Never an undisputed starter during his six years in the main squad (tops 23 Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
matches in 1989–90, mostly as a substitute), he did manage to be relatively used. Also during that season, but in the UEFA Cup, he arguably had his most memorable performance for the club, scoring twice in a 3–1 win at NK Dinamo Zagreb, after a 0–1 home loss.
Otokoré then split 1993–94 with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
and AS Cannes
AS Cannes
Association Sportive de Cannes Football is a French association football club based in Cannes. The club was formed 1902 as a sports club and currently play in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth division of French football. Cannes plays its home matches at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin...
, returning two years later to Auxerre, without any impact. After a couple of seasons in the second level
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
with CS Louhans-Cuiseaux
CS Louhans-Cuiseaux
Club Sportif Louhans-Cuiseaux is a French football club.-History:Founded in 1970 after the unification of "Club Sportif Louhannais" and "Club de Cuiseaux" , based in the villages of Louhans and Cuiseaux...
, he took his game to the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, then returned in 2000 to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, with amateurs FC Bourg-Peronnas
FC Bourg-Péronnas
Football Club Bourg-Péronnas is a French association football team founded in 1942. They are based in Péronnas, Rhône-Alpes, France and are currently playing in the Championnat de France amateur Group B, the fourth tier in the French football league system...
, retiring in 2001.
International career
After he had already lived for the requested years in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Otokoré was eligible to represent France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
internationally, being summoned for its Espoirs
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
in February 1988; however, a judicial battle between both Football Federations ensued, and the player ended up playing for Ivory Coast
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
; in his first match, at the 1988 African Cup of Nations
1988 African Cup of Nations
The 1988 African Cup of Nations was the 16th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Morocco, who replaced original host Zambia. Just like in 1986, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four. The tournament final was held in...
, on March 16, against Zaire
Congo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
, he played 60 minutes, being immediately sent home afterwards.
Otokoré also represented the nation at the 1992 edition
1992 African Cup of Nations
The 1992 African Cup of Nations was the 18th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Senegal. The field expanded to twelve teams, split into four groups of three; the top two teams in each group advanced to the quarterfinals...
.