Ivory Coast strong despite stutters

The Ivory Coast remain on course to win the Africa Cup of Nations on home spoil despite spluttering and stuttering through the first round and then conjuring up two thrilling come-from-behind performances in the knockout stages to reach Wednesday’s semifinal against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The match at Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Stadium is one step closer to a third Cup of Nations title for the Elephants and a first home win in the tournament since Egypt’s triumph in 2006.

Since then, home countries have battled to win despite having many odds in their favour, not least the support of the local fans.

Egypt (1959 and 1986), Ethiopia (1962), Ghana (1963 and 1978), Sudan (1970), Algeria (1990), South Africa (1996) and Tunisia in 2004 were all home winners but the last eight editions have all ended in disappointment for the hosts.

2008 (Ghana): The Black Stars had veteran coach Claude Leroy, and assistant Herve Renard, directing their fortunes and they got off to a roaring start by winning all three of their group games. Then came a crunch assignment in the quarterfinal against regional rivals Nigeria with Junior Agogo scoring the late winner to see Ghana into the semifinal. But in Accra they lost to Cameroon in the semifinal as a through pass from Samuel Eto’o set up Alain Nkong for the winner. Egypt then beat Cameroon in the final.

2010 (Angola): Extensive investment was made in stadia and infrastructure by the Angolans for the tournament and they also appointed Portuguese coach Manuel Jose, who had won the African Champions League with Al Ahly to be their coach. They were 4-0 up in the opening game against Mali but then conceded four times in the last 10 minutes to be held to a draw. But they still won their group, only to go out in the quarterfinals as Asamoah Gyan netted the only goal of the game for Ghana, who went onto lose to Egypt in the final.

2012 (Equatorial Guinea and Gabon): Two host nations but Gabon lost in the quarterfinal with their star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squandering his kick in the post-match penalty shootout against Mali while the first-time participants Equatorial Guinea, who had surprised by emerging from the group stage, ran headlong into Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure who shared the goals in a 3-0 quarterfinal victory. The Ivorians went onto the final but lost on penalties to first time winners Zambia.

2013 (South Africa): A change in the date of the tournament from every even to every odd year saw the finals on again, only 12 months after the last, with South Africa taking over from strife-torn Libya as hosts. Bafana Bafana limped into the quarterfinal when a late goal from Siyabonga Sangweni salvaged a draw with Morocco in their last group game as they looked headed out early. Gordon Igesund’s side could not overcome Mali and after two hours of football, lost on post-match penalties. Nigeria won the tournament by beating Burkina Faso in the final.

2015 (Equatorial Guinea): Morocco withdrew as host over Ebola crisis to the fury of CAF president Issa Hayatou, who then enlisted Equatorial Guinea as hosts. They were not given much chance but showed a real fighting spirit to go all the way to the semifinal, including a controversial extra time win over Tunisia in the last eight, where they finally ran out steam. Equatorial Guinea lost 3-0 to Ghana in the semifinal but the Black Stars were beaten by the Ivorians in the final.

2017 (Gabon): The ‘Panthers’ were not expected to be among the real contenders, even with Aubameyang in their ranks, and so it proved as they did not make it out of the opening phase. Needing to beat Hugo Broos’ Cameroon in their last group game, they hit the post in the last minute and were then denied on the rebound by a stunning save from Fabrice Ondoa. That single moment proved crucial for both sides as Gabon went out and the Indomitable Lions went onto take the title.

2019 (Egypt): The Egyptians were replacement hosts when Cameroon were deemed ill prepared to host the newly expanded 24-team tournament. The Pharaohs were heavy favourites and won their opening three group games against Zimbabwe, DR Congo and Uganda. Their last-16 opponents were South Africa, who scrapped through as the last of the best third placed finishers and who were given little chance. But Thembinkosi Lorch’s counter attack goal late in the game ended home hopes and allowed Algeria to go on and win the title.

2021 (Cameroon): Cameroon’s play on the field was as patchy as its organisation off it in a tournament beset with problems, both infrastructural and because of the Covid-19 pandemic. A stadium stampede led to eight deaths and overshadowed the event. The Indomitable Lions made it to the semifinal but lost on post-match penalties to Egypt, who then suffered the same fate in the final against Senegal, who were winning their first Cup of Nations title.