Ivory Coast secured a remarkable victory, defeating Nigeria 2-1 and claiming their 3rd African Cup of Nations title. While the outcome on paper may seem expected, it is the journey of the Elephants that adds profound significance to this triumph.
Teetering on the edge of elimination in the group stage with two defeats, including a 1-0 loss to Nigeria and a humiliating 4-0 thrashing by Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire managed to finish as the fourth-best third-placed team in the group stage, setting the stage for an epic comeback.
The remarkable turnaround unfolded under the leadership of Emerse Faé, who assumed the coaching reins after the departure of Jean-Louis Gasset.
Gasset, reflecting on the turn of events in an interview with L’Équipe, expressed optimism that the chosen commando was the right one, acknowledging the unconventional path to their objective.
He remarked, “We will have arrived at the objective differently, but that proves that the chosen commando is the right one, even if I would have preferred not to reach this outcome […] I dream of seeing Haller score the goal in the final […] I am proud of the Elephants, happy. My departure brought peace.
We say to ourselves, he was the culprit and that protects others. You had to see death up close perhaps to bounce back.”
However, the celebration comes with a bittersweet note for Gasset, as his departure from the coaching role occurred during the tournament.
While his words turned out to be prophetic, he watched the triumph from afar, witnessing the team’s success under the guidance of Faé.
Ivory Coast’s resilience and success underscore a remarkable chapter in the history of African football, demonstrating the unpredictable and captivating nature of the sport.
