In every corner of the Ivory Coast, football fans are buzzing about a magical moment. Their national team has achieved the unthinkable by securing a spot in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 final. Despite being the host nation, the Ivory Coast had to struggle to make it through the group stage as they finished fourth in their group. However, they managed to advance to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. And that’s when the magic began.
A Rocky Start
The Ivory Coast kicked off their group stage campaign with a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau. But things quickly took a turn for the worse as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Nigeria and a shocking 4-0 thrashing by Equatorial Guinea. With only 3 points and a goal difference of -3, their chances of making it to the round of 16 seemed slim. Under immense pressure, Head Coach Jean-Louis Gasset resigned, seemingly unconcerned about his team’s fate.
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However, fate smiled upon the Ivory Coast. Both of their competitors for the best third-placed team in the group stage faltered in their decisive matches. Ghana led Mozambique 2-0 but conceded two late goals in the 90+1 and 90+4 minutes, ending the game in a draw. Meanwhile, Zambia lost 1-0 to Morocco, who secured their place in the next round. Ghana and Zambia finished the group stage with just two points, one behind the Ivory Coast. The host nation advanced to the next round alongside Guinea, Namibia, and Mauritania by virtue of being one of the best third-placed teams.
The Magic Continues
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Despite the turmoil, the Ivory Coast continued their miraculous journey. In the round of 16, they faced Senegal and fell behind in the fourth minute. However, a penalty from Franck Kessie in the 86th minute leveled the score at 1-1. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Kessie once again stepped up and scored the decisive spot-kick, securing a 5-4 victory for his team.
The quarterfinal match against Mali, another group stage leader, was yet another dramatic escape for the Ivory Coast. They lost defender Odilon Kossounou to a second yellow card in the 43rd minute but managed to equalize through Simon Adingra in the 90th minute, sending the match into extra time. In the 120+2 minute, Oumar Diakite netted the winning goal, sealing a 2-1 victory for the Ivory Coast.
The Final Countdown
After three great escapes, the Ivory Coast has emerged as a strong contender for the AFCON title. They exude confidence and continued their winning streak with a 1-0 victory over Congo in the semifinals on February 7th. Sebastien Haller, the hero of the match, overcame testicular cancer in July 2022 and made a successful comeback at the beginning of 2023. The Borussia Dortmund striker has scored nine goals in 25 appearances for the Ivory Coast.
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On February 11th, the Ivory Coast will face Nigeria in the final. A win would not only allow the host nation to avenge their 1-0 loss in the group stage but also secure their third AFCON title, following their triumphs in 1992 and 2015. In contrast, Nigeria has previously won the tournament three times in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
The Ivory Coast’s journey to the AFCON 2024 final is nothing short of miraculous. They overcame incredible odds and showcased their resilience and determination. As fans eagerly await the final showdown, the nation holds its breath, hoping for one more moment of magic on the grandest stage of African football.
This article was written by Thanh Quy.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: Blog
