“This CAN is just an awareness campaign against sports betting”, summed up nicely a Senegalese tweeter about this 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations, which has never been so spectacular and full of surprises. 118 goals were scored in the 52 matches. Above all, the tournament proved ruthless for several big players on the continent: Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana folded in the first round, while Senegal, defending champion, Egypt, finalist, Morocco , who delighted at the last World Cup, and Cameroon, also present in Qatar, wallowed in the round of 16.
Humiliated by Equatorial Guinea (4-0) and on the verge of elimination in the group stage with its two defeats, Côte d’Ivoire finally went through a mouse hole by finishing among the best thirds thanks to a victory for Morocco. An unexpected qualification and a second chance wonderfully seized by the Elephants, who achieved their dream by winning their third star at home under the leadership of Emerse Faé, installed as number 1 after the resignation of Jean-Louis Gasset . We take a look back at this CAN 2024, described by many as the “most beautiful in history”.
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Inflatable pachyderms brightened up the nearly 60,000 spectators present at the Ebimpé stadium in Abidjan during the closing ceremony. — His Kambou
Before the start of the competition, the organizers had made a promise which seemed difficult to keep: no match should take place in front of empty stands. While the stadium for the opening match was only two-thirds full, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé immediately assured that he would take measures to remedy this.
If access to physical ticketing remained chaotic throughout the competition, very quickly, with a few rare exceptions, the stadiums showed good attendances, including in the 1st round, during which CAN matches usually struggle to attract crowds ;
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The completely disappointed face of the Ivorian supporters after the disaster against Equatorial Guinea. — Fadel Senna
The Ivorian supporters, in front of the TV, can’t believe their eyes. Although announced as favorites, their team has just collapsed at home, defeated by Equatorial Guinea 4-0 on the last day of the group stage. A real humiliation which condemns the Elephants to third place in the group with the consequence of feverishly awaiting the results of the other teams to hope for qualification.
After the match, some disgruntled supporters damaged buses on the road leading from the Ebimpé stadium to the city of Abidjan, before calm returned after the use of tear gas by the police.
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Jean-Louis Gasset doesn’t understand why his team is so far behind. — Sunday Alamba
While his team was not yet officially eliminated despite a more than chaotic course (one victory, two defeats including a humiliation against Equatorial Guinea, and three points on the clock), what’s more at home, Jean-Louis Gasset decided to give up the apron the same evening of the debacle against the Equatorial Guineans (4-0).
Laurent Blanc’s former right-hand man is replaced by one of his deputies, stage local Emerse Faé, after the refusal of the French Football Federation (FFF) to loan Hervé Renard.
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The Nzalang Nacional players can be jubilant after a very solid first round, finishing in the leadership position ahead of Nigeria and Ivory Coast. — Sunday Alamba
It was one of the great stories of this CAN 2024. Led by its captain, Emilio Nsue, top scorer in the competition (5 goals) although he plays in the Spanish third division, Equatorial Guinea impressed during the group stage, finishing leader of Pool A ahead of Nigeria and Ivory Coast. But the great adventure was abruptly stopped by Guinea (1-0), in the round of 16.
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As always, Djamel Belmadi does not hesitate to blame the refereeing for his team’s poor performances. — Kenzo Tribouillard
The sky fell again on Djamel Belmadi’s Algeria, again eliminated in the first round of the African Cup, by Mauritania (1-0), while a draw was enough for their happiness. As in 2022, the Fennecs experienced a nightmare campaign, with no victories (two draws and one defeat).
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Ghana stopped again in the group stage. — Franck Fife
Like Algeria, Ghana also collapsed in the first round. The Black Stars, however, had all the cards in hand to advance to the next round. They were in fact two goals ahead until the 90th minute against Mozambique on the last day of the groups, before being caught (2-2). A bitter disappointment for André Ayew and his teammates.
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Mama Joy can have a smile with Bafana Bafana, who were conquerors in this CAN. — Fadel Senna
South African supporter Joyce Chauke, also known as Mama Joywitnessed the great epic of the South African selection, which returned to the last four of the African Cup of Nations for the first time in twenty-four years.
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The emblematic 12th Gaïndé, the unconditional Senegal fans in the stands of the Yamoussoukro stadium. — Sunday Alamba
The Senegalese supporters also gave their voice to push Sadio Mané and his teammates towards a second consecutive coronation in the African Cup of Nations. But the dream, after an impressive first round, faded in the round of 16 against Ivory Coast.
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Emerse Faé giving instructions to Gradel. — Sunday Alamba
Symbol of this Ivorian resurrection, Emerse Faé, despite his status as a novice on the bench, perfectly straightened out Ivory Coast. The young 40-year-old technician notably revived executives like Max Alain Gradel, who had not played any of the first three matches of the tournament.
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Sébastien Haller offers his jumping talents to Franck Kessié to open a shooting window for him and beat Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. — Trust Hadebe
After their completely failed first round, the Ivorians fought back by claiming the scalp of the Senegalese title holder (1-1, 5 tab to 4) in the round of 16 of the CAN. A success which launched the formidable journey of the Elephants, who then moved on to the quarter-final, dominating Mali (2-1), at the end of a stunning match when they were reduced to 10 in the 45th minute.
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Mohamed Salah was injured during the second group match on January 18 against Ghana (2-2). — Trust Hadebe
Mohamed Salah’s dream of coronation has once again vanished. The Pharaoh, who won everything at club, was forced to leave his teammates due to a hamstring injury against Ghana (2-2). It was from Liverpool, where he returned to receive treatment, that he helplessly watched the elimination of his team in the round of 16 against the DRC (1-1, 8 tab to 7).
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An impassable wall. — Trust Hadebe
A historic performance. This is what South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams accomplished in the quarter-final against Cape Verde. The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper single-handedly propelled Bafana Bafana into the last four by making four out of five saves during the penalty shootout. No goalkeeper had achieved such a feat in a major competition.
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South Africa striker Evidence Makgopa crucifies Romain Saiss and Yassine Bounou. — Sunday Alamba
Considered one of the favorites for the coronation after its historic run at the last World Cup, Morocco once again lost its teeth prematurely in the direct elimination phase. At the end of a meeting which they nevertheless dominated, the Atlas Lions were punished by the cold realism of the South Africans (2-0), in the round of 16. Achraf Hakimi notably missed an equalizing ball from the penalty spot. The 48-year drought without a continental title continues for Morocco.
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Congolese players have denounced the ongoing war in the east of their country. — Franck Fife
This is one of the strong images of this CAN 2024. During their national anthem before the semi-final against Ivory Coast, the DR Congo players pointed their finger to their temple and put their hand over their mouth to denounce the situation in the east of the country, in the grip of a silent armed conflict. A way to challenge the international community.
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The tifo deployed by Ivorian supporters before the final. — Trust Hadebe
Full to bursting with nearly 60,000 spectators, the Ebimpé stadium in Abidjan deployed a very beautiful tifo before the kickoff of the final. Ivorian supporters displayed a giant “Thank you Côte d’Ivoire” in the country’s orange-white-green colors, accompanied by two hearts. A gesture which then gave way to massive support throughout the match, allowing Serge Aurier’s teammates to overthrow the Nigerians (2-1).
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From left to right Ronwen Williams, William Troost-Ekong and Emilio Nsue. — Sunday Alamba
At the end of the competition, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded the competition’s honor rolls. The title of best player went to Nigeria captain and defender William Troost-Ekong, who was instrumental in the Super Eagles’ progress (three goals, including two in the knockout stages). Emilio Nsue inherited the honorary title of top scorer (five goals), while Ronwen Williams was elected best goalkeeper.
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The Ivorians ended the title holder’s curse by lifting the title at home for the first time since Egypt in 2006. — Kim Price
In the sky of Abidjan, on this night of February 11 which will undoubtedly remain engraved in the history of Ivorian football, Max-Alain Gradel and his teammates raised the third CAN in the history of the Elephants. A consecration at the end of a bumpy journey, strewn with pitfalls, but ultimately concluded in the most beautiful way.
