Ivory Coast Honors Morocco’s Role in Their Unlikely African Cup of Nations Victory

The Ivorian players and supporters have not forgotten Morocco, which managed to save Côte d’Ivoire from sinking by beating Zambia (1-0) in the last group match. The Ivorians had lost their match against Equatorial Guinea (4-0) and were on the brink. But thanks to the victory of the Atlas Lions over the Chipolopolos, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire continued the adventure with incredible fervor until they won their third trophy against Nigeria (2-1) in the final on Sunday, February 11 at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Ebimpé. Since this match, the Ivorian players and supporters have been expressing their love for Morocco. The Moroccan national flag has been seen several times among Ivorian supporters, especially after the Elephants’ last-minute qualification for the round of 16 of the CAN. At the end of the match against Mali in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), which the Elephants won (2-1), Ivorian supporters handed the Moroccan flag to Ivorian international Seko Fofana. He carried it and made a tour of the Bouaké stadium.

On Sunday, the Moroccan flag was displayed on the screens of the Alassane Ouattara stadium. Promoted from substitute to starter and captain in the middle of the CAN, Max-Alain Gradel paraded with the Moroccan flag, to the cheers of the crowd. The small handover ceremony that took place at the end of the final at the Ebimpé stadium saw the presence of the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaâ. The latter received the flag of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) from the hands of the President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, in anticipation of the 35th edition to be organized in Morocco in 2025. This was therefore a huge tribute to the Atlas Lions. Morocco’s journey ended in the round of 16. Walid Regragui’s men failed to achieve an exploit after their brilliant participation in the last World Cup.

After its triumph, Côte d’Ivoire became the first team to lose by a four-goal margin and then win the title, and the first host country to be crowned champion since Egypt in 2006. An incredible journey.