Ivory Coast Parade Through Abidjan As Champions Of Africa

Tens of thousands of jubilant fans crammed the streets of Abidjan on Monday for the Ivory Coast's victory parade after the hosts' remarkable Africa Cup of Nations triumph the night before.

Just as in 2015 for their last Afcon triumph, the Elephants roamed the streets of the country's economic capital.

Sebastien Haller, who scored the decisive goal in Sunday's 2-1 final win over Nigeria, and the rest of the squad were perched on a truck fitted out for the occasion with a three-star sign to mark the Ivorians' third title.

With Monday declared a special holiday fans massed on bridges and avenues, many ignoring the oppressive heat to run alongside the victors' mechanical chariot.

After a festive four-hour parade the team, under heavy police escort, arrived at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny stadium.

Wearing 'African champions' t-shirts the 2024 Afcon champions did a lap of honour to stands packed with fans - all decked out in orange - the national colour.

Some players were clearly moved by the welcome accorded them. "The overwhelming feeling is one of pride," said Junior Djedjess, one of the fans on hand to soak in the national team's astonishing run after a terrible group stage. "With three stars we have now joined the great African nations," he added with only Egypt (seven titles), Cameroon (5) and Ghana (4) boasting better records in the continental showpiece.

After their lap of honour the players stepped onto the pitch, one by one, with Max-Alain Gradel, the only survivor along with Serge Aurier from the last Ivorian team to win the title in 2015, presenting the trophy to the crowd. “Ivory Coast, the African Cup is here. May God bless Côte d’Ivoire.”

The 36-year-old captain spoke before handing over the trophy to Mamba Prime Minister Robert Begre.

Just three weeks ago, no one, not even the most ardent elephant supporter, could have dreamed of today.

They really should have been knocked out of the group stage after losing 4-0 at home to Equatorial Guinea on January 22, their worst ever defeat.

Performance in the group stage led to the departure of experienced French coach Jean-Louis Gasse, who had been in charge of the team since May 2022.

He was replaced by Emers Fae, a former Ivory Coast international who had never coached before.

But Pay witnessed a major turnaround in his team's fortunes as Ivory Coast pulled off a comeback against Senegal in the last 16 and overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat Mali with 10 men in the quarter-finals.

After beating Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in their last four games, they duly completed their match against Nigeria on Sunday night.

Junior Gedges remembers, “We were upset after losing 4-0, but we still played and a new team was born.” Team 's celebrations will continue on Tuesday, when they will be received by President Alassane Ouattara.