Ivory Coast win African Cup

BAta, February 9

Advertisement

Ivory Coast finally won the African Nations Cup after a decade of close calls as they edged neighbours Ghana 9-8 on penalties after a goalless draw following extra time in Sunday's final at Estadio de Bata. Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry converted the decisive spot kick to deliver the trophy for a country who had been heavily fancied for the previous five tournaments but flopped in all of them. It was a second title for Ivory Coast whose only previous success came when they also beat Ghana in a similar post-match marathon shootout 11-10 in Dakar in 1992.

A total of 22 kicks were needed to settle the 2015 title with the Ivorians missing their first two attempts. It came down to the keepers to settle matters after all the outfield players had taken a penalty each with the score at 8-8. Barry, who was only playing because of injury to Sylvain Gbohouo, saved from Ghana goalkeeper Razak Brimah and then, after requiring treatment for an injury, got up to slot home the decisive spot kick.

Victory for the Ivorians also handed Frenchman Herve Renard the distinction of becoming the first coach to win the Nations Cup with different countries after success with Zambia in 2012, when they edged the Ivorians in a shootout. “We had a team with the right fighting spirit and we rode our luck a little,” said Renard.

An exhausted Yaya Toure looked more relieved than elated, saying: “I just want to go home and celebrate with my family and friends. It's taken a long time for us to get here.” — Reuters