Ivory Coast faced a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea. The Ivorian press has unleashed scathing criticism, labeling the loss as a “thunderclap” and raising concerns about the team’s chances of advancing.
The local media, including influential platforms like abidjan.net and Fraternité Matin, did not mince words in their assessment of the Ivory Coast Elephants’ performance.
The national team, hosting AFCON 2023, is on the brink of an untimely exit from the competition after a dismal showing on their home turf.
Abidjan.net highlighted the team’s missed scoring opportunities, emphasizing a lack of realism and combativeness.
The defeat significantly jeopardizes Ivory Coast’s prospects of progressing to the round of 16, trailing behind Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria with only three points.
Fraternité Matin reported on heightened security measures around the Ivorian team’s hotel to prevent potential clashes with disappointed fans.
The site underlined the dire situation, stating that Ivory Coast is “about to exit the competition in the worst way.”
The Ivory Coast Press Agency (API) painted a vivid picture of the team’s ordeal, describing the defeat as a “thunderclap at home” and a “total, cruel, and bitter disillusionment.”
The API expressed pessimism about the Elephants’ chances, drawing parallels with their 1984 predecessors who were eliminated in the first round on home soil.
Sport Ivoire captured the sentiment of a nation in disappointment, declaring, “Elephants are falling from heights.”
The outlet conveyed the collective sense of frustration and disbelief in the wake of the humiliating defeat.
Even Ivorian football legend Didier Drogba weighed in on the debacle, emphasizing the need for introspection and strategic decisions.
Drogba articulated concerns about the nation’s ability to organize such a competition, stating, “There is a real problem.”
As the Elephants grapple with the aftermath of this devastating loss, the road to redemption appears challenging, with hopes dwindling for a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes.
The players now face the daunting task of winning back the support of a disappointed nation that expected so much more on their home turf.
