There was jubilation on the streets of Abidjan on Wednesday night following the surprise qualification of the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire for the Round of 16 at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Young and old Ivorians crowded the streets chanting and expressing joy at the new development.
All hopes were feared lost after their humiliating 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea but the hosts needed a dramatic turn of events in other matches to secure their round of 16 ticket .
The Atlas lions of Morocco did the Elephants a huge favour by beating Zambia 1-0 in San Pedro, making the impossible possible. Cote d’Ivoire are now in the knockout phase as one of the best four third-placed teams.
Prior to the qualification, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) terminated the contract of 70-year-old French coach Jean-Louis Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant. Gasset, who has coached for more than 35 years in France and Spain, took over in Cote d’Ivoire from Patrice Beaumelle in May 2022.
[…] Afcon 2023: Jubilations in Cote d’Ivoire after Round of 16 qualification […]