The day after its triumph in the African Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire began two days of festivities this Monday, February 12, to celebrate its heroes. On the edge of the precipice and booed by an entire country after its defeat against Equatorial Guinea (0-4) in the group stage and the departure of its coach Jean-Louis Gasset, the Ivorian selection, miraculously qualified for the round of 16, transformed itself during the final phase to beat all its opponents, including Nigeria (2-1) in the final on Sunday evening in Abidjan.
Just after this third success during the CAN (after 1992 and 2015), the President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara, announced that this Monday was a day “declared a public holiday, non-working and paid” in Ivory Coast.
In Abidjan, scenes of jubilation multiplied throughout the day during the Elephant Parade. The truck transporting the players to a platform left Maison Palmier in the middle of the afternoon to go to the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny stadium. The journey took many hours. Despite an impressive police and military squad, the convoy, in fact, experienced the worst difficulties advancing through the streets of the Ivorian capital. Millions of supporters dressed in orange jerseys gathered along the route to see the trophy and thank their champions.
Sébastien Haller, the Dortmund striker who scored the winning goal against Nigeria at the end of the match, was the most applauded by the crowd. They did not forget Morocco without whom the feat would not have been possible, their success over Zambia on the last day of the group stage having allowed the Ivorians to qualify among the best 3rds.
Some supporters thus opted for the red jersey of the Atlas Lions. A few minutes after the Elephants’ success on Sunday evening, the Alassane-Ouattara stadium gave a standing ovation to the Moroccan flag displayed on the giant screens before striker Max-Alain Gradel himself toured the enclosure with the emblem of the kingdom Cherifian.
Perched on the platform of a trailer truck, the Ivorian players walked around Abidjan to greet their jubilant fans. AFP/Sia Kambou
The party promised to be beautiful all night long. This Tuesday, the African champions will be received at the presidential palace to be decorated by Alassane Ouattara, who has already presented them with the trophy.
“We are champions of Africa! What happiness! Congratulations to our Elephants! Thank you for this third star offered to the Nation! We are proud of you,” the head of state exclaimed on his X account.
