Côte d’Ivoire’s 4-0 home defeat by Equatorial Guinea at the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations was a major blow for Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba.
Present at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpé to cheer on his national team, the former Olympique de Marseille striker was deeply affected by the debacle. Images capturing his stunned expression and lost gaze during the match testify to his disappointment, reflecting the feelings of millions of Ivorian fans. Indeed, beyond the humiliating defeat by Nzalang Nacional, it looks increasingly likely that the Elephants will be eliminated. With just three points and a significant deficit on goal difference (-3), hopes of the Selefanto finishing among the best third-placed teams are now very slim indeed…
Millions of Ivorians are overwhelmed by disappointment, but Didier Drogba’s seems even more profound. From the hand cupping his chin at half-time to the sombre look on his face at the end of the match, the former Elephants star’s disillusionment is obvious. As a seasoned connoisseur, Drogba is already looking ahead to the post-CAN period, urging deep reflection to identify the reasons for this failure.
After the match, Didier Drogba, appearing as a consultant on the NCI show, voiced his dissatisfaction vehemently: “We have to get back to work, not only ask ourselves the right questions, but also take the right decisions. For football and only for football, because today, a nation like Côte d’Ivoire cannot organise such a competition and… Of course, it can leave as early as it left today, but in this way, there is a real problem,” declared the former Elephants player.
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