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pushing through

Yaya and Kolo Toure to remain in Brazil despite younger brother's death

After a harrowing few days, the pair will stick together and try and qualify Ivory Coast for the knock-out stage.

THOUGH STILL COMING TO TERMS with the death of their younger brother Ibrahim on Thursday, both Yaya and Kolo Toure will remain with the Ivory Coast squad for the duration of the team’s World Cup, according to the Ivorian Football Federation.

The pair were told of the tragic news in the direct aftermath of their side’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia and it was unclear whether they would leave the camp and return to England. Ibrahim, 28, died in Manchester after a battle with cancer.

Yaya has played in his team’s two group games so far – prior to the loss to the South Americans, the Ivorians secured a 2-1 win over Japan. Kolo, meanwhile, has been an unused substitute on both occasions.

Brazil Soccer WCup Ivory Coast Japan Ricardo Mazalan / AP/Press Association Images Ricardo Mazalan / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

Ivory Coast take on Greece in their final Group C assignment and three points will qualify them for the knock-out stage.

Kolo Toure did take to Twitter earlier this morning to offer his thanks to all those who have supported the family in recent days.

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