Ivory Coast Qualify for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with 0-0 Draw Against Cameroon
Abidjan, Ivory Coast – 19 November 2014
Ivory Coast secured their place in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals with a crucial 0-0 draw against Cameroon on Wednesday. After a heavy 4-1 defeat in the first leg in Yaoundé, the Elephants were under significant pressure to perform on home soil at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan. A loss could have jeopardised their qualification hopes, but a solid defensive performance earned them the point they needed to progress.
The result ensured that Ivory Coast retained second place in Group D, with Cameroon, already qualified for the tournament, finishing at the top of the group. The Ivorians ended with 10 points, just one ahead of third-placed DR Congo, who triumphed 3-1 over Sierra Leone in the day’s other match.
Ivory Coast head coach Hervé Renard expressed his relief after the match, knowing how vital the point was for securing their spot in the finals. “It was a very important game for us. We had to show character, especially after the heavy defeat in Cameroon. But I am proud of the team’s performance, and we are excited to be heading to the tournament,” Renard said post-match.
With the 0-0 draw, Ivory Coast became the 11th team to qualify for the 2015 AFCON, joining the likes of South Africa, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Zambia, Tunisia, Senegal, and host nation Equatorial Guinea. Originally set to be hosted by Morocco, the tournament will now be held in Equatorial Guinea after Morocco withdrew due to concerns over the Ebola outbreak.
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations will take place from January 17 to February 8, and the draw for the final tournament will take place on December 3 in the capital, Malabo.
With qualification secured, Renard’s men will now focus on their preparations for the tournament, where they will hope to improve on their previous campaigns and challenge for the continental title.
For Ivory Coast, this marks a welcome return to the AFCON after they missed out on the 2013 edition, and the Elephants will be eager to make their mark in Equatorial Guinea.
