Ivory Coast defeat Ghana on penalties
BATA: Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard dedicated a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final triumph on Sunday to the people of the country.
The Ivorian Elephants trumped west African neighbours Ghana 9-8 on penalties in Equatorial Guinea city Bata after a 0-0 draw following extra time.
Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry scored the decisive goal as Ivory Coast ended a 23-year Africa Cup of Nations title drought.
Before netting, veteran Barry had set up the match-winning chance by diving to his left and pushing away a spot-kick from Ghana goalkeeper Razak Braimah.
Ivory Coast triumphed despite making a disastrous start to the 22-penalty climax with the first kick from Wilfried Bony hitting the crossbar and Junior Tallo firing the second spot kick wide.
“We dedicate this win to the Ivorian people,” said Renard, the Frenchman who guided Zambia to a penalty shootout victory over Ivory Coast in the 2012 final.
“Football has this magic element in that it unites all the ethnic groups — all the people who perhaps don’t think the same way. Ivory Coast is more than delighted today.”
Title successes for Renard with Ivory Coast and Zambia make him the first coach to win the Cup of Nations with different countries.
It was the second time the Ivorians have conquered Africa, and the first success in 1992 also came against Ghana on penalties following a goalless draw.
“I’m very happy for the Ivorians, who have been waiting for this for 23 years,” Renard said.