Ivory Coast: From last ticket to championship candidate

With five semifinal appearances, two championships, and two runner-up finishes in the history of the continental football, Ivory Coast is poised for a chance to clinch its third title as the current event unfolds on home soil.

The biggest surprises at AFCON 2023

The player "was sent off the field twice", even the assistant referee was surprised

African player recreates 'Hand of God' moment at AFCON 2023

Against the backdrop of the reigning champion Senegal and most of the former cup-winning teams such as Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroon, Zambia, Egypt, Ghana, and Morocco all being eliminated one by one before completing the knock-out stage, the host Ivory Coast surprisingly emerges as the leading contender for the AFCON 2023 championship after remarkable and dramatic escapes.

Considered a rising force since their triumph at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast consecutively made deep runs in the tournament in 2006 (runner-up), 2008 (quarterfinals), 2012 (runner-up), and peaked in 2015 with a championship in Burkina Faso. Slumping relentlessly for the next three consecutive editions, Ivory Coast had no chance of hosting AFCON 2023 unless Guinea, the initial host, withdrew at the last minute for objective reasons.

Ivory Coast showed poor performance in the group stage

"The Elephants" only won their opening match against Guinea-Bissau and lost the remaining two group stage matches against Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, leading to the dismissal of coach Jean-Louis Gasset. Ivory Coast "held its breath," sneaking through the narrow door, securing the spot for the best-performing third-placed teams.

In the Round of 1/8, facing the reigning champion Senegal, who topped Group C with three straight wins, Ivory Coast surprisingly created a shock by eliminating the top contender for the championship in a penalty shootout.

Ivory Coast defeated Senegal on penalties

Facing Mali in the quarterfinals, Ivory Coast was outperformed in every aspect by their opponents. However, in the extra time, Ivory Coast scored the decisive goal in the 120+2 minute through substitute player Oumar Diakité.

Ivory Coast beat Mali in extra time

Unable to rely solely on luck, Ivory Coast will face the formidable obstacle named DR Congo in the semifinals, aiming to compete in the final for the fifth time in 32 years. The resilience and class of the star-studded lineup, including players from top European clubs such as Sebastian Haller (Dortmund), Nicolas Pepe (Trabzonspor), Franck Kessie (Barcelona), Serge Aurier (Galatasaray)… are eagerly awaiting the challenge at the highest level. The story of Ivory Coast is creating the biggest paradox at AFCON 2023.