Ivory Coast crowned African champions after defeating Ghana on penalties

Ivory Coast yesternight emerged the new African champions after they beat the Black Stars of Ghana in the final match of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. They won the game, played in Bata, Equatorial Guinea by 9-8 on penalties in a similar fashion of the 1992 AFCON final as the game remained goalless after the extra time.

Ivory Coast's Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry netted the last of the penalties to give the Elephants their 2nd title as they replaced Nigeria as current African champions at the Estadio de Bata after two previous attempts in the finals. Ivory Coast earlier lost to Egypt 4-2 on penalties in Egypt 2006 and also lost 8-7 to Zambia in the 2012 edition co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Elephants’ coach, Herve Renard, yesternight became the first coach to win the trophy with two different African countries having done same with Zambia in 2012. Yesternight was the 10th time the AFCON would be decided through penalty shoot outs.

Another record set yesternight was also the first time in the history of the tournament, two families played in the AFCON final as the Toure brothers, Kolo and Yaya, played against the Ayew brothers of Andre and Jordan.

Ghanian captain Asamoah Gyan was back to the starting line-up in place of Jordan Ayew after responding quickly to medical treatment to a hip injury. He was wounded in a collision with Guinea goalkeeper Naby Yattara in the quarterfinals and was on the bench for his side’s semi-final. Ivory Coast team were without midfielder Cheick Tiote, who has not  recovered yet from an ankle injury and veteran Barry replaced injured Sylvain Gbohouo in goal.

The final match between the 2 West African giants initially didn’t meet up to the expected explosive encounter but improved towards the latter part of the match.

The Ghanaians were able to neutralise the efforts of the present African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure, Wilfred Bony and Gervinho in the Ivorian attack while the attacking duo of Gyan and Andre Ayew were also nullified by the Elephants’ defence.