Ivory Coast fans stormed the streets of Abidjan, the Capital City of Ivory Coast, to celebrate a momentous luck that shone on the face of the host nation in the ongoing 2023 AFCON.
The Elephants, who had just sacked their manager following a dismal group stage run in the tournament, were teetering on the brink of exiting the continental.
After an opening classic against the weeping boys of Group A Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast suffered back-to-back defeats against Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
In their last group game against Equatorial Guinea, the host nation suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat further dampening their chances of making it to the next round of the tournament.
Ivorian fans returned to the permutation table as the final round of group matches was set to be rounded up on Wednesday.
Of the round 16 four slots for best third-placed teams in the group stages, Mauritania and Guinea booked their slots. With Namibia picking the third slot, Ivory Coast banked on Zambia to lose to Morocco in Group F to book their ticket to the next round.
Hakim Ziyech scored the match-winner against Zambia to condemn the African champions to a group stage exit, paving the way for Ivory Coast realize their hopes and reach the last 16 of the tournament.
It was a celebration galore at the blast of the final whistle. Ivory Coast fans took to the streets of the capital city, celebrating Morocco's win and their nations' qualification to the knockout of the tournament.
Hordes of fans could be seen running down the streets, singing and chanting to celebrate the shock U-turn for the Elephants.
The big moment came just hours after Ivory Coast Football Chiefs dismissed the team's head coach Louis Gasset with immediate effect after the team finished third in their AFCON group, following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea.
The team has been paired against Senegal in round 16 in what will be another cracker and tough test for the host nation.
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The Elephants, who had just sacked their manager following a dismal group stage run in the tournament, were teetering on the brink of exiting the continental.
After an opening classic against the weeping boys of Group A Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast suffered back-to-back defeats against Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
In their last group game against Equatorial Guinea, the host nation suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat further dampening their chances of making it to the next round of the tournament.
Ivorian fans returned to the permutation table as the final round of group matches was set to be rounded up on Wednesday.
Of the round 16 four slots for best third-placed teams in the group stages, Mauritania and Guinea booked their slots. With Namibia picking the third slot, Ivory Coast banked on Zambia to lose to Morocco in Group F to book their ticket to the next round.
Hakim Ziyech scored the match-winner against Zambia to condemn the African champions to a group stage exit, paving the way for Ivory Coast realize their hopes and reach the last 16 of the tournament.
It was a celebration galore at the blast of the final whistle. Ivory Coast fans took to the streets of the capital city, celebrating Morocco's win and their nations' qualification to the knockout of the tournament.
Hordes of fans could be seen running down the streets, singing and chanting to celebrate the shock U-turn for the Elephants.
The big moment came just hours after Ivory Coast Football Chiefs dismissed the team's head coach Louis Gasset with immediate effect after the team finished third in their AFCON group, following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea.
The team has been paired against Senegal in round 16 in what will be another cracker and tough test for the host nation.
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