Lagos- Kolo Toure, Liverpool FC and Ivory Coast’s defender, on Sunday confirmed his retirement from international football with Ivory Coast, a week after the country’s African Cup of Nations Cup (AFCON) triumph.
According to BBC Sport online news portal, the 33-year had indicated that the recent competition in Equatorial Guinea would be his last for his country.
The news portal noted that Toure made his debut for the national team against Rwanda in April 2000.
He also played in all games which led to their second AFCON cup victory after a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout win over Ghana in the final.
“I do love my country and especially love football, but at some point, there comes a time to stop.
“My goal was to win the Africa Cup of Nations and I must admit that it was a very difficult decision to make.
“It is with great emotion that I inform you that it is time to say goodbye,’’ it quoted Toure.
It also said that Toure was part of Ivory Coast’s 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads, but played in only one match at last summer’s finals in Brazil, in the final group game against Greece.
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According to the news portal, he has played in seven AFCON tournaments, losing two finals on penalties to Egypt in 2006 and to Zambia in 2012.
“Sometimes it plays in your mind, but with this incredible success, you have to forget the past and enjoy the moment,” it quoted the defender as saying.
The news sport portal also said the veteran defender wanted to end his 15-year international career by achieving an AFCON win before leaving current Ivory Coast manager Herve Renard.
“I am going to introduce my successor at the heart of the defence to you. He is tough. This is Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba, the new boss of the defence.
“He is my successor and will mentor young Eric Bailly and Wilfried Kanon. I rarely make a mistake in my choice, so Viera will perfectly replace me in the team,” it quoted Toure.
It also noted that having started his career at ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan, Toure moved to Arsenal in 2002 and was part of the ‘Invincible’ side that went through the whole season unbeaten in 2003/4.
He was signed by Manchester City in 2009 before joining Liverpool on a free transfer last summer. (NAN)
