Bony's World Cup dream

22nd November

Ever since watching his first World Cup on television, Wilfried Bony has dreamed of one day playing in the sport's biggest tournament.
The Swans striker now looks set to fulfill that dream in Brazil next summer after the Ivory Coast confirmed their place in the finals following a Play-Off win over Senegal last weekend.
His nation will appear at their third consecutive tournament, having bowed out in the Group Stages in Germany (2006) and South Africa (2010).
Now Bony - Swansea's club-record signing in July - hopes he will be playing a key role in Sabri Lamouchi's plans as 'Les Elephants' look to progress to the knockout stages for the first time.
"Reaching the World Cup is a massive thing for my country," said Bony, who has scored eight goals in 23 games for the Ivory Coast.
"It made not only the players, coaches and supporters proud, but it made the whole country proud.
"It is the third time in a row that we have qualified, but for me it would be my first appearance at a World Cup if I played.
"I can remember my first World Cup on TV - it was America '94. It was a great tournament, and I really enjoyed watching Roberto Baggio play for Italy.
"At times like that, when you are young, you imagine yourself playing in the World Cup and scoring a goal.
"For me to go to the World Cup and score for my country would be unbelievable - it is my dream."
If Bony is to fulfill his ambition of featuring in the World Cup, the striker insists he has to maintain his scoring form in the Premier League.
His £12million switch from Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem comfortably made him the Swans' most expensive signing.
With ten goals in 18 games under Michael Laudrup, the striker is already showing his quality in front of goal.
And the 24-year-old hopes to continue that form and help the Swans on the domestic and European front, before he looks to make an impact on the biggest stage of them all.
"I've managed to score quite a few goals already here, but I'm always pushing myself to score more for the team," he added.
"Hopefully if I can score important goals for Swansea and help us in the league and in Europe, then the national manager will see me as an important player for his plans for the World Cup.
"But my concentration right now is on Swansea. We have a big game at Fulham on Saturday and hopefully we can get three points there."