By Samindra Kunti
January 25 – Ivory Coast’s title defence came to an end at the 2017 African Cup of Nations in Gabon after a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the final round of Group C games. In a tournament that has thrown up some unpredictable results, the interest and attendance of fans has been low except for Gabon games, but they have also now exited the tournament.
The defending champions required all three points against Morocco to progress to the knock-out stages, but they succumbed to a meek defeat to follow the other pre-tournament favourites, Algeria, out of the competition.
In the 64th minute substitute Rachid Alioui scored with a long-range curler for the Atlas Lions. With their backs against the wall, Ivory Coast offered little in response. A disciplined Morocco easily contained the Elephants. They followed a rigid plan set by coach Herve Renard, who won the African Cup of Nations two years ago with Ivory Coast.
The Frenchman, returning to African football after a failed spell at Lille, may become the first coach to win the title with three different countries. In 2012, Renard guided Zambia to continental glory. Morocco last reached the final in 2004.
The Moroccans qualify together with DR Congo for the quarter-finals. The Congolese topped group C with a 3-1 victory against Togo. They have been the barnstorming sensation of the tournament with a fluent playing style. DR Congo also join Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Senegal, Cameroon, and Ghana in the knockout stages.
Ivory Coast’s early exit consolidated the recent curse of defending champions at the tournament. The 2010 winners Egypt failed to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations. Zambia were eliminated without winning a game in 2013 and the Super Eagles from Nigeria didn’t qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations.
The surprising results in Gabon point to a more even playing field, with a wider talent base across the African continent. However, there is no team that has emerged with the talent of the past great Nigerian or Cameroonian teams.
Despite this being an open tournament fans have not warmed to the matches. From the opening match opponents of President Ali Bongo have called on the Gabonese not to attend games to protest the recent political crisis. The boycott’s chief proponent is opposition leader Jean Ping who claimed to have won the 2016 presidential election despite the Gabonese highest court validating the re-election of Ali Bongo. His family has ruled the country for half a century. Ping rejected the results and said that he will not back off.
There has been neither an outright boycott nor real enthusiasm in the host country for a tournament organised at a reported cost of almost $800 million. In October funding for health and education services were cut.
At the opening match the stands of the 38,000-capacity Stade de l’Amitié in the capital Libreville were filled at 80-90%. Matches not involving the host nation have been poorly attended, a normal occurrence at African Cup of Nations tournaments. The large presence of Senegalese, Burkinabe and Malian expats has mitigated that tendency somewhat.
The Stallions attracted 4,122 fans to their crunch group game with Guinea Bissau in Franceville. At the same venue, the Stade de Franceville, 6,500 fans showed up for Algeria’s do-or-die match with Senegal.
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