African Cup of Nations - Ivorians try to stay calm after loss
Ivory Coast will take time to digest their latest African Nations Cup failure before making any decision on the future of their 'golden generation', coach Francois Zahoui has said.
"We will go back to Abidjan and make decisions with serenity and calmness," he said after the 8-7 defeat on penalties to Zambia in Sunday's final in Libreville. "It will be up to the federation, staff and team members to make the decisions that are right for the team."
The Ivorians, packed with high profile players, have been favourites at every tournament since 2006 but again came up short in their bid on Sunday to add to their only previous success 20 years ago.
A penalty miss by Didier Drogba in the final in the Gabon capital and squandered kicks in the shootout by Kolo Toure and Gervinho - all three of whom play in the English Premier League - saw them beaten for the second time in the final since their loss in 2006 to Egypt.
In 2008 they were semi-finalists and at the last tournament in Angola in 2010 surprise losers in the quarter-finals.
Eight players in Sunday's final had been in the squad defeated six years ago and the Ivorians have turned out a consistent side that has qualified for the last two World Cups.
But key players like Drogba, Didier Zokora and Kolo Toure might now consider ending their international careers, even though the coach believes it might not yet be the time.
"If they still have the motivation they can still play an important role for the team," added Zahoui.
"But these are decision not to be made now. There is great disappointment and sadness now."
The Ivorians completed the 2012 finals, co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, without conceding a goal in six games but put in a timid performance in the final, seemingly finding the burden of expectation too heavy to carry.
"It's very hard to take it all in but I expected a different team. Emotion played a part but I'm not sure it was all because of the pressure," Zahoui said.
The team, however, has a chance for redemption in 12 months when the next Nations Cup is hosted in South Africa as the tournament is being switched from every even to every odd year and will be next hosted in early 2013.
Comment 1 - 7 of 7
bravo to the Ivorian, they are still the best in Africa as far as the 2012 AFCON is concern...so who says a team that lost via a penalty shootout,never conceded a single goal in the competition,with a flamboyant team need not to be credited...? i doubt that opinion to the least vowels...congrats to the chipolopolo, i predicted a new winner,so am hapy we all got that. honor to the 93 team...(the dead were also on the pitch) i wonder how 11 ivorian cud go over 11+23dead spirit to win?... no mean to disrespect the dead, just illustrating....cant wait for 2013AFCON
Cote d'Ivoire should not berate themselves too much, they were outstanding through out the competition as they brought both class, skill and discipline to all their games. Like FIFA pointed out, a loss through penalties is no loss. Africa is proud of the commitment shown by each individual player throughout the tournament. Their big time players fought like everyone else on the team. They set a good example for all to follow. Bravo!
adj if u want to be rascist u should write ur name and town so that we come find u and deal with ignorrant types like u...admire...harare...zimbabwe
They will be fine i am sure their is a KFC in the ivory coast a bucket of fried chicken gutts should lift their mood. then the can have rice and pea.
Bravo Zambians.! Your tiress efforts have been rewarded. Your fallen heroes can forever rest! you have done them proud posthumously. I propose that a monument be raised in recorgnition of this tremendeous achievement. Kalusha Bwalya's efficient football admin and his love for the country be applauded eternally. Abeffiting statue...Bwalya. Your conscience and resilience has taken zambia this far. Your gone colleagues in the disaster will live in joy forever. You have erased the painful memories we as east africans have lived with. What alesson to other football fedrations! Long live......long live Chipolopolo.
I feel the Ivorians pain deep down in the gut..
Why is that arrogant ,defeated Ivorian Coach not acknowledging the victorious Zambian side ?Bravo &kudos to mighty ,mighty Zambia !
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