‘It was a true liberation’ – Gervinho on Ivory Coast’s long-awaited 2015 AFCON triumph

Gervais Lombe Yao Kouassi, known worldwide as Gervinho, has reflected on the defining moment of his international career, describing Ivory Coast’s long-awaited Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2015 as the pinnacle of his journey in football.

Born in Anyama, just outside Abidjan, the former Arsenal and Roma forward became one of the most recognisable African attackers of his generation, famous for his explosive pace, unpredictable dribbling and trademark headband. But it is his role with the national team that remains closest to his heart.

For years, Ivory Coast carried the weight of expectation with a so-called Golden Generation featuring Didier Drogba and the Touré brothers, yet major success repeatedly slipped away. That narrative finally changed in Bata in 2015, when the Elephants defeated Ghana in a dramatic penalty shootout to lift the trophy.

“Winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 was a crucial moment in my career, definitely the greatest of all. Winning such an important title with your country is something priceless.

“You cannot even imagine the joy and immense pride we felt in those days. It’s an indelible moment in my memory. And it was also a fundamental milestone, a true liberation, because we had been chasing that trophy for years,” Gervinho said.

The forward also highlighted the emotional burden carried by the squad, who had suffered repeated near misses in previous tournaments.

“We had an incredible national team, the best squad in Africa on paper, but we always ended up failing at the decisive hurdle in the Cup. Getting it done was the crowning of a dream.”

The victory was particularly symbolic for a nation that had also endured political turmoil, with football acting as a unifying force.