The 2024 Africa Cup of Nations ended in triumph for the Ivory Coast national team. As the host nation, they overcame numerous challenges to claim the tournament’s most prestigious trophy. On the 1xBet platform, fans can make predictions on the outcomes of such tournaments and more, as well as access detailed match statistics.
The Elephants had a rocky start to their campaign. While they secured a confident win in their opening match, two defeats followed – including a heavy 4–0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.
The situation for the team became disastrous. The reaction of the national football federation was unexpected – they dismissed head coach Jean-Louis Gasset. The remaining matches of the tournament were led by Emerse Faé, who had previously served as the assistant to the former coach.
It’s important to note that Ivory Coast reached the playoffs almost by accident – thanks to Morocco’s victory over Zambia. In the Round of 16, the Elephants miraculously equalized against Senegal and then went on to win in a penalty shootout.
The quarterfinals once again went to extra time, where they defeated Mali. In the semifinals, the hosts overcame DR Congo, securing their place in the final – something that had seemed highly unlikely before the tournament began, and nearly impossible as it progressed. Yet luck and sheer determination ultimately prevailed.
Shared struggles and victories brought the team closer together. On the pitch, they began to play as one cohesive unit, reducing mistakes and errors. As a result, the team conceded fewer goals and allowed their opponents far fewer scoring chances.
Heroes of the final stage
The final match was just as intense and thrilling as the rest of the tournament. You can easily follow Ivory Coast’s current games on the 1xBet website, which even covers friendly matches.
Key roles in the national team’s success were played by footballers who had barely appeared during the group stage:
- Sébastien Haller;
- Simon Adingra;
- Max Gradel.
Once again, the tournament’s final turned into pure drama. The Elephants conceded first but managed to equalize only in the second half. The decisive goals were scored by players who had previously stayed in the shadows – a true symbol of team spirit and squad depth. Sébastien Haller, who made a remarkable comeback after a serious illness, became the hero of the final, while Simon Adingra and Max Gradel played key roles in the decisive moments. The victory became a national celebration, uniting fans and highlighting the power of solidarity.
Ivory Coast’s triumph at the 2024 home Africa Cup of Nations will go down in history as one of the most incredible and inspiring. The team proved that you should never give up – there’s always a chance for a miracle and a way to turn things around.