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Ivory Coast crowned Afcon 2015 champions

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Ivory Coast repeated the pain they inflicted on Ghana in 1992 when edged Ghana 9-8 on penalties following a goalless draw after extra time in Sunday’s final match at the Estadio de Bata.

The West Africans came back from 2-0 down to win the penalty shootouts in sudden death.

23 years ago The Elephants won the nations cup 11-10 on penalties against The Black Stars. Ghana star player at the time, Abedi Pele missed the 1992 Afcon final due to suspension. 23 years later, it was his sons, Adre & Jordan, in the team to reverse the fortunes but it was not going to be.

Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry converted the decisive spot kick to ensure a first title since Ivory Coast last beat Ghana in similar circumstances in 1992. 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.

Their triumph came on a night when 22 people died outside an Egyptian soccer match after security forces barred fans from entering the stadium, the public prosecutor’s office said. Most of the dead were suffocated when the crowd stampeded after police used teargas to clear the supporters trying to force their way into a league match between two Cairo clubs, Zamalek and Enppi, doctors and witnesses said. The trouble highlighted the problems facing African football and overshadowed the thrilling climax to the Nations Cup tournament in Equatorial Guinea, who stepped in as hosts after Morocco was stripped of the hosting rights.

It took a total of 22 kicks to settle the outcome on Sunday after the Ivorians had missed their first two attempts.

Victory for the Ivory Coast also handed coach Herve Renard the distinction of becoming the first coach to win the Nations Cup with different countries after his success with Zambia in 2012, when they edged the Ivorians in a shootout.

Ghana’s agonising shootout defeat means they are still waiting for their first Nations Cup success since 1982

Two hours of action delivered few chances as the tired-looking teams fought out an error-strewn midfield battle, although Ghana’s Christian Atsu came close to scoring with a snap shot that hit the post after 26 minutes.

Yaya Toure had the game’s first effort on goal after 10 minutes but his free kick went straight into Brimah’s arms. Gervinho fed Max Gradel with a clear chance on the right of the attack soon after but he blasted a hurried shot wide.

Ghana’s first effort was inches away from a goal as Andre Ayew weaved across the penalty box before feeding Atsu, whose first time shot hit the upright before bouncing back into play. An Ivorian mistake gave Ghana the first chance of the second half with Atsu speeding away before passing inside to Asamoah Gyan, who was off target with his effort.

Gyan had been doubtful for the final with a pelvic injury but passed a late fitness test.

Mubarak Wakaso blasted over the top with a strong effort from well outside the penalty area midway through the second half as the midfield stranglehold kept chances to a minimum. However, Atsu’s strong running down the right tested the Ivorian defence again when he provided Gyan without another chance after 72 minutes but it was blocked.

As the game approached 90 minutes a scramble in the Ghana penalty area, after Brimah could only parry the ball, gave Ivorian substitute Seydou Doumbia a half-chance but he too was thwarted by a quick defensive recovery. Doumbia missed another half-chance at the start of the second half of extra time when striker Gervinho found a second wind and the game had to go to penalties to separate the teams.

Ghana’s agonising shootout defeat means they are still waiting for their first Nations Cup success since 1982.

Morocco were stripped of the tournament having asked for a postponement amid concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus and have been banned from the next two African Nations Cups.

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