Ivorians turn out to welcome football heroes

A MILLION ecstatic Ivorian football fans turned out in the streets of Abidjan on Monday to welcome home their national squad after their nail-biting victory over Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations, police said.

Sunday’s penalty shootout win by The Elephants, who are due to parade in the city’s football stadium, ended a 23-year Africa Cup of Nations title drought.

Ivory Coast announced a public holiday on Monday to celebrate its dramatic win over Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

A 9-8 victory on penalties on Sunday night gave the Ivorians their second title, in a repeat of the 1992 final.

The game was followed by joyous celebrations on the streets the country’s biggest city, Abidjan.

Ivory Coast’s win brings to an end a 22-year drought during which they lost twice on penalties.

President Alassane Ouattara announced the paid holiday on public radio and television after the game.

Celebrations in Abidjan went on late into the night on Sunday.

Gozo Maxime Blessing, a 27-year old student, told the BBC that fans had been waiting 23 years for this moment.

“I’m great. I don’t know how to express my joy. But this is a very good performance by the Elephants.

“I am happy. I am voiceless. For 23 years, we were waiting for this trophy and by the grace of God we’ve got it.”

The team are due to arrive back home on Monday afternoon, with a celebration planned at the city’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny football stadium.

Announcements on local radio requested that fans stay away from the stadium as its 35,000 capacity had already been reached.

Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry scored the decisive spot-kick to seal the victory against Ghana.

Captain Yaya Toure, who won the Premier League with Manchester City last season, described winning the cup as “unbelievable”.

“When you win with your club, it’s quite amazing,” he said. “With your country, it’s unbelievable.”

The competition was organised by Equatorial Guinea in just two months after Morocco pulled out over fears of the spread of Ebola.

Morocco was subsequently banned from the 2017 and 2019 tournaments. Its football federation was fined $1m (£650,000) and ordered to pay $9.1m in damages to the Confederation of African Football (Caf).