More than eleven years after the final of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), where Didier Drogba missed a crucial penalty against Zambia, this event continues to spark discussions.
On February 12, 2012, during that final, Drogba, then captain of Ivory Coast, had the chance to put his team ahead in the 70th minute. Unfortunately, his shot sailed well over the goal of Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, who didn’t miss the opportunity to taunt him afterward.
The match eventually ended in a defeat for the Ivorians on penalties (8-7), despite Drogba converting his penalty during the shootout. Years have passed, but debates surrounding this incident persist. In 2019, Didier Zokora, then Drogba’s teammate, reignited the controversy by accusing Drogba of usurping the penalty-taking role that should have belonged to Yaya Touré. Drogba responded in 2020, suggesting to consult tactical sheets from the time to confirm that he was indeed the designated penalty taker, following directives from François Zahoui, the coach.
The truth about this episode was partially clarified by Emmanuel Eboué, another participant in that match, in the documentary “Our Two Stars” aired by Canal+ CAN. According to Eboué, it was agreed that Yaya Touré should take penalties during the game, but in the final, Drogba took the initiative to take it despite protests from his teammates, showing the tension and passion that characterized the team that day.
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