On the ground, any notion that the manuscript would not be a fairy tale was dispelled when Salomon Kalou knocked on 18 minutes. Goals keep coming. With only five minutes remaining, and with Ivory Coast leading 4-0, the stage was set for the spectacular final everyone was expecting. A lofted ball from midfield fell behind the defense, into the path of the fast-moving Drogba. Smooth control and a delightful second touch get him around the goalkeeper, and he hits the ball into an empty net. Explosive noise challenges the modest capacity of the stadium.
The country’s messiah spins along the running track in celebration, players and supporters pouring in behind him. On it, the old enemies celebrate together. Complete info visit pisauqq
The final whistle sent fans rushing onto the pitch, with security personnel forming a protective screen around the players, especially Drogba. The symbolic movement of the game at Bouake seems to have united the country once again.
“It was euphoria throughout the country, everyone gathered,” said Gnahore. “We have so much hope in Drogba and his team. Tour from the north, Drogba from the south. It is the true Ivory Coast mosaic. ”
However, what happened next was very different. With deep divisions, and short memories, the euphoria surrounding the two matches began to fade. Just five years later, violence has gripped the country again after an election dispute, which resulted in the deaths of 3,000 people and culminated in President Gbagbo’s arrest and eventual trial in The Hague for crimes against humanity.
In January 2019, he was acquitted of all charges. One year later, he remains detained in Belgium, pending the outcome of the appeal, with Ivory Coast still in difficult political circumstances.
Ivory Coast’s ‘golden generation’ never really lived up to their potential, losing on penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2006 and 2012. Their star power shrank in response. It may be impossible to proceed from the 2005 and 2007 seismic events.
Drogba retired from football in 2018 after a successful glittering career in six countries, with a place in the ranks of African greats – if not world greats – guaranteed. But he and his team-mates are responsible for something far bigger than just football glory.
“They showed that we can still live together, that we can be Ivory Coast like before. This is not about football, but the unification of a country, “said Omar.
Drogba and his teammates are not alone in stopping the civil war. But over the course of two football matches, they at least gave their beleaguered country reason to hope.
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