Source: Team_Talk
Bamba hopes to make big impression
Hibernian and Ivory Coast defender Bamba accepts his native continent's reputation suffered a massive blow when gunmen killed two members of Togo's travelling party and wounded nine others on the eve of last month's African Nations Cup in Angola.[LNB]Bamba and his international team-mates were deeply affected by the tragedy and came close to joining Togo in pulling out of the competition.[LNB]But, despite this, the Hibs star insists Africa can be trusted to host arguably the world's greatest sporting event.[LNB]"We need to show to people Africa can organise a big competition like that," Bamba said.[LNB]"I'm not worried about the World Cup; I think everything's going to be okay."[LNB]Bamba revealed how the Ivory Coast squad came under pressure from their own national football federation and even their country's president not to pull out of the African Nations Cup last month.[LNB]"In Africa, football is even more about politics," said Bamba, whose side suffered a shock quarter-final defeat to Algeria.[LNB]"We were very affected by that.[LNB]"It's not the reason why but I think it's a big part of why we didn't go through."[LNB]Togo were banned from the next two African Nations Cups after withdrawing from this year's tournament, a punishment Bamba simply cannot comprehend.[LNB]"If it was us, we'd do the same - we'd have left the competition," he said.[LNB]"We've all got family, kids, and if our lives are in danger, I think everyone wants to be safe."[LNB]Bamba is keen to put the Togo incident behind him and focus on starring at what will be his first World Cup.[LNB]But he was cagey over the prospect of landing a big move if he performs well in South Africa.[LNB]"It's a dream to be involved, because I remember when I was young, I wanted to play at a World Cup," said Bamba, whose international team-mates include the likes of Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure.[LNB]"If I get a chance to play, I have to do well and you never know, we'll see what happens."[LNB]Bamba returned from Angola last month "tired" both physically and mentally.[LNB]Manager John Hughes admitted rushing him back for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory over St Mirren at the end of January and gave him the following week off.[LNB]But he has continued to struggle, conceding two penalties in the last two matches as Hibs have shipped eight goals at Rangers and St Johnstone.[LNB]The defender believes he needs "more games" to rediscover the form he showed prior to going on international duty.[LNB]His next opportunity comes in Saturday's trip to Motherwell, the first match at Fir Park since Rangers' Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra claimed the patchwork pitch there could have caused him an injury which would have ended his World Cup dream.[LNB]Bamba said: "Maybe when I finish the game, I'm going to say the same.[LNB]"But at this time of year, it's difficult to keep the pitch very good.[LNB]"The pitch is not good for both teams, so we just have to get on with it."[LNB]Bamba insisted Hibs needed to "adapt" their normal passing style to cope with the playing surface and get their bid for third place in the SPL back on track.[LNB]The Edinburgh club have been in the top three virtually the whole season but are now just a point ahead of Dundee United.[LNB]Bamba said: "I think it would be an injustice if we don't finish in third spot."[LNB][LNB]
