 This match was played in the aftermath of the Houphouët-Boigny Arena stampede, which killed dozens of Ivorian spectators.Bamba became a regular in the national team as they qualified for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.Bamba scored his first goal for the team in a friendly against Rwanda, as part of the squad's preparation for the 2010 African Cup.