The Ivory Coast Elephants are going through a period of turbulence at Afcon 2023 and awakening memories of a similar ordeal experienced in 1984. Jean-Louis Gasset’s men, corrected 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea, offer themselves a rather disappointing statistic in the history of the flagship competition of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
After a promising start with a comfortable victory against Guinea-Bissau 2-0, the Ivorian team suffered a setback against Nigeria 0-1 in their second meeting. However, it was the unexpected 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in the third group match that shook expectations. Jean-Louis Gasset’s men find themselves in a delicate situation, on the verge of elimination.
Indeed, the statistics reveal a rather strange coincidence after this humiliation of Ivory Coast against Equatorial Guinea. This is the first time since 1984 that an Afcon host nation has lost two matches in the group stage. And curiously, it was already Ivory Coast which had experienced this misadventure.
In 1984, after a controlled initial victory against Togo (3-0), the Elephants suffered a 2-1 defeat against Egypt, despite a goal from Miezan. The rout continued with a second 2-0 defeat to Roger Milla’s Cameroon in the third match of the group stage.
A worrying déjà vu for Ivory Coast
Forty years after this unfortunate episode, the Ivorian team of 2023 finds itself in a similar situation. With two defeats in the group stage, the Elephants are set to relive the nightmare of early elimination. The question is whether history will repeat itself, with Ivory Coast unable to overcome the demons of the past.
Despite their exceptional athletic skills, their undeniable talent and their ability to score at club level, Jean-Louis Gasset’s men find themselves faced with the pressure of history and may not qualify for the round of 16 of the Afcon 2023, as best 3rd.
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