The Ivory Coast stands on the brink of a remarkable comeback as they edge closer to clinching their third AFCON title on home soil this Sunday evening.
While it remains uncertain if destiny will favour the Elephants, their transformation throughout this tournament has been nothing short of extraordinary.
A shaky start with one win and two defeats in the group stage left them on the brink of elimination, languishing as the fifth-best of six third-placed teams. However, a stroke of luck emerged as Ghana faltered in stoppage time, granting Ivory Coast a second chance.
Despite the departure of head coach Jean-Louis Gasset, interim boss Emerse Fae has guided the team to an astounding resurgence. Dramatic come-from-behind victories against reigning champions Senegal and neighbouring Mali have further fueled their momentum.
The once-painful memory of a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea now feels like a distant past amidst their current success.
With the nation rallying behind them and a palpable sense of destiny propelling them forward, the Elephants pose a formidable challenge for Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the upcoming final.