- Ivory Coast’s unlikely victory
- National unity and joy celebrated
- Sébastien Haller’s remarkable comeback
It turns out that the zombie team could not be eliminated after all. The deceased child has no fear of the knife. Ghosts don’t feel pain. It was impossible to impede Ivory Coast’s third consecutive Africa Cup of Nations victory. With the exception of league formats, no team had emerged victorious from a major tournament after two defeats; however, that tally exceeded the group phase tally of Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. Each of the three times they trailed in the elimination phase, Emerse Faé’s squad rallied to win. This Ivory Coast team isn’t the best, but their tournament win was.
No one would intend to win a tournament in this manner, qualifying from their group as the fourth of four best third-place teams, dismissing the coach, and presumably doing a great deal of self-reflection since (if nearly every player interview is to be believed). Nevertheless, amid an unquenchable will, disbelieving laughter, and chaos, this may be the most entertaining way to succeed.
Unity Beyond the Final Whistle
The 60,000-capacity arena erupted in an extraordinary roar at the final whistle. Aside from the green-and-white splatter of Nigerian spectators, the space filled with an ecstatic mass of orange. It was not only about football and an extremely unlikely victory; it was about much, much more. 13 years have passed since the end of the second civil conflict in Ivory Coast.
Before the start of the match, a colossal banner was raised in appreciation of the players. However, it was subsequently substituted with a flag featuring an “elephant commando,” an exceptionally fierce and seemingly upbeat pachyderm adorned in green combats, an orange vest, and a natty headgear. Valuing intangibles is challenging, and it will be some time before it becomes possible to determine whether the tournament and associated infrastructure investments, which have exceeded $1 billion, have yielded a positive return. However, in accordance with the request of President Alassane Ouattara, the last two weeks have exhibited a sense of unity. He was surrounded by jubilant players just before the trophy presentation. It goes without saying that he is an overwhelming favourite to win the general election next year. He is now 82 years old.
Ivory Coast’s Symbolic Triumph
The entire nation of Ivory Coast has rejoiced after advancing to the last 16 in Yamoussoukro, reaching the quarterfinal in Bouaké, the former rebel capital, and reaching the semi-final and final in Abidjan. Sporting success and its reception are merely symbolic at best, but symbols can occasionally carry significance.
The forward who had the greatest comeback scored the winning goal nine minutes into extra time. Sébastien Haller was only 18 months old when he received a diagnosis of testicular cancer. Being a member of this squad is in and of itself an accomplishment. His exclusion from the group stage was due to an ankle injury. However, it was his substitution with 17 minutes remaining that decided the last-16 encounter. He was also instrumental in the quarterfinals, entering the game at halftime. It was in the semifinals that he scored the game-winning goal in his debut. He skilfully guided in a cross from the nimble Simon Adingra using his studs at this juncture.
The 70-year-old Frenchman, Jean-Louis Gasset, who was dismissed following the group stage, might have reflected on the fact that he, too, did not benefit from a healthy Adingra. Neither did he establish a rapport with his team nor the Ivorian people, nor did he instil in them the same sense of direction. Furthermore, he did not select the central midfield trio consisting of Jean Michel Seri, Franck Kessié, and Seko Fofana, whose dominance in the games, if there was any other factor, contributed to Ivory Coast’s victory (if not destiny itself).
Ivory Coast’s Resilient Comeback
Kessié scored the equaliser shortly after the hour mark, directing Adingra’s cross into the net. However, in the same way that Ivory Coast’s extraordinary resilience merits praise, Nigeria must also raise some concerns. It came as no surprise that they began cautiously; if ever there was a time to attempt to subdue the home populace, it was at this moment. After establishing themselves and withstanding the initial Ivorian surge, they were rewarded with William Troost-Ekong’s fourth goal of the tournament, which was a header. This was the first goal scored in any of the five finals in which Ivory Coast have participated.
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José Peseiro, the manager of Nigeria, is the individual whom José Mourinho regards as his closest football companion. It is not difficult to comprehend why: the two individuals exude an unabashed swagger and pragmatism. However, attempting to spoil and maintain an advantage in the manner that Mourinho did historically fails to work in the modern game. Nigeria appeared to have a clear understanding of how they would counter and had defended with intent in the first half; however, as they attempted to close out the game in the second, they were overwhelmed and unable to shift gears.
Attempting to make sense of everything, however, may be futile. Certain forces are unstoppable. The golden generation of Ivory Coast laboured for years to secure the trophy; Faé, who was a member of the losing team in the 2006 final, has only appeared in four games for Ivory Coast but has already won the country’s third Cup of Nations.
