Ivory Coast win 9-8 on penalties
Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout victory over Ghana.
Keeper Boubacar Barry saved a penalty then scored the winning spot-kick, the game having finished goalless after extra-time in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
Barry seemed to be suffering from cramp during a shootout in which five penalties were missed.
But the 35-year-old's heroics gave the Ivorians their second title, in a repeat of the 1992 final.
Twenty-three years ago, Ivory Coast lifted their first trophy when they beat Ghana 11-10 on penalties after a goalless draw.
And they will be delighted to have emulated the feat at their third attempt, having been beaten on penalties in 2006 and 2012 - the latter of which they lost to Zambia, who were then coached by Herve Renard.
The Frenchman's success as coach of the Elephants makes him the first man to win the title with two countries.
In contrast, Ghana coach Avram Grant has now suffered defeats on penalties in two major finals, after losing the 2008 Champions League to Manchester United when he was Chelsea boss.
Yet it looked like the Black Stars might end their 33-year wait for a fifth Cup of Nations title when Ivory Coast missed their first two spot-kicks - Manchester City's new signing Wilfried Bony hit the crossbar and substitute Junior Tallo dragged wide with his first touch of the game.
But Afriyie Acquah and Frank Acheampong failed with their efforts for Ghana and the sides were back on level terms.
After every outfield player had taken his turn, Barry brilliantly saved keeper Brimah Razak's effort.
Having annoyed some of the Ghana players when he delayed their kicks because of cramp, Barry slotted home and was then mobbed by his team-mates.
Defeat was perhaps a little harsh on Ghana who had the better of the chances in the match and twice hit the woodwork.
Christian Atsu was unlucky to see a superb 25-yard shot come back off the keeper's left-hand post, while Andre Ayew struck the outside of the other upright from a tight angle.
But there there was a sense of inevitability throughout the match that it would go the distance as neither team appeared to be prepared to take the risks that might bring a victory.
The big names - Ivory Coast's Yaya Toure and Bony, and Ghana's Ayew and Asamoah Gyan - failed to have a decisive influence on the game, which never really flowed.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (5) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)
Ivory Coast
- 01 Barry Booked
- 21 Bailly Booked
- 04 K Touré
- 22 Kanon Booked
- 17 Aurier
- 20 Gonzaroua Die Booked
- 19 Y Touré
- 05 Tiéné Booked (Kalou - 116' )
- 15 Gradel (Doumbia - 67' )
- 12 Bony
- 10 Gervinho (Gadji-Celi Carmel Junior - 122' )
Substitutes
- 02 Diarrassouba
- 03 Assalé
- 06 Doukoure
- 07 Doumbia
- 08 Kalou
- 11 Gadji-Celi Carmel Junior
- 13 Akpa-Akpro
- 14 Diomande
- 16 Gbohouo
- 18 Traoré
- 23 Mandé
Ghana
- 01 Brimah
- 23 Afful
- 21 Boye
- 19 Mensah
- 17 Baba
- 06 Acquah
- 11 Wakaso
- 07 Atsu (Acheampong - 116' )
- 02 Appiah (J.Ayew - 99' )
- 10 A.Ayew
- 03 Gyan (Badu - 121' )
Substitutes
- 04 Gyimah
- 05 Awal
- 08 Badu
- 09 J.Ayew
- 12 Sowah
- 13 Rabiu
- 14 Asante
- 15 Otoo
- 16 Dauda
- 18 Amartey
- 20 Accam
- 22 Acheampong
Machapisho
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