Ivory Coast and AFCON – A Match Made in Football Heaven
The Rise of Ivory Coast in African Football
Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d’Ivoire, is a country located in West Africa. It has a rich history and culture, but one thing that truly unites the people of this nation is their love for football. The sport has been ingrained into the fabric of society, with young children playing it on the streets and adults passionately supporting their favorite teams.
When it comes to African football, there is no denying that Ivory Coast stands out. The national team, also known as Les Éléphants (The Elephants), has consistently been one of the top-performing teams on the continent. And one tournament that showcases this success is the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ivory Coast’s AFCON Journey
AFCON is a biennial international men’s football championship organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It features some of the best national teams from Africa competing for continental glory. And when it comes to AFCON success, Ivory Coast has had its fair share.
To answer the question ‘how many afcon does ivory coast have?’, let’s take a look at their journey through each edition of this prestigious tournament.
Ivory Coast first participated in AFCON back in 1965 but did not make much impact until 1984 when they finished runners-up to Cameroon. They then went on to finish third in 1992 and fourth in 1994 before experiencing a bit of a dry spell.
But things changed for them in 2006 when they made it to their first final since 1984 but lost out to Egypt. However, they redeemed themselves in the 2012 edition by beating Ghana on penalties to claim their second AFCON title.
Their success continued in the 2015 tournament as they lifted the trophy once again, this time defeating Ghana in a dramatic penalty shootout. This made them only the third team after Egypt and Cameroon to win back-to-back AFCON titles.
In the most recent edition of AFCON held in 2019, Ivory Coast reached the quarter-finals before losing out to eventual champions Algeria. Overall, they have participated in a total of 24 editions of AFCON and have been crowned champions twice.
AFCON Hosts List
As one of Africa’s top footballing nations, it comes as no surprise that Ivory Coast has also hosted AFCON on two occasions. They first hosted it in 1984 and then again in 1988. Both times, they failed to make it past the group stage but provided an excellent platform for African football to showcase its talent.
Pros / Cons
Some pros of hosting AFCON include boosting tourism and infrastructure development for the country as well as promoting unity among African nations through sports. However, hosting such a massive event also comes with its challenges, such as high costs and potential security risks.
FAQ
1) How many times has Ivory Coast won AFCON?
Ivory Coast has won AFCON twice – in 1992 and 2015.
2) Has Ivory Coast ever hosted AFCON?
Yes, Ivory Coast has hosted AFCON twice – in 1984 and 1988.
3) Who is Ivory Coast’s all-time top scorer at AFCON?
Didier Drogba holds this record with a total of nine goals scored at various editions of AFCON.
In conclusion, when it comes to ‘how many afcon does ivory coast have’, the answer is two. However, their journey through AFCON has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with ups and downs but always showcasing the country’s passion and love for the sport. With upcoming editions of AFCON, we can expect Ivory Coast to continue making their mark and adding more trophies to their collection.
