By James Robert Kayindi
Ivory Coast ended their 23-year-trophy-drought in the Africa cup of nations after luckily edging Ghana in a penalty shootout. Ivory Coast goalkeeper, 23-year-old Boubacar Barry, was the day’s hero after he netted the eleventh penalty to win the shootout on a 9-8 score following a zero-all draw after extra time.
After the Elephants missed their first two penalties through Wilfred Bonny who hit the woodwork and Junior Tallo, it all looked to be in the hands of the Black Stars who had scored their first two through Mubarak Wakaso and Jordan Ayew but Ivory Coast’s luck turned around after Ghana’s Acquah Afriyie and substitute Frank Acheampong failed to net their shots. Ivory Coast’s Serge Aurier and Seydou Doumbia then converted the third and fourth penalties to level the score at 2-all.
Ivory Coast came back into the game eventually winning the trophy when the Ivorian goalie Boubacar Barry scored the last and winning penalty just moments after saving Ghanaian goalie Razak Braimah’s penalty.
The triumph earns Ivory Coast their second title of the biennial tournament and their first after 23 years. They won their first title back in 1992 when they edged Ghana on an 11-10 penalty shootout.
Email Robert: Robert.k.cricles@gmail.com
