Football Photos

African Football Passion: Cheers in Ivory Coast, Tears in Egypt

February 09, 2015 16:53

Football fans in Ivory Coast partied late into the night after The Elephants lifted the Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday, but 19 people were killed outside an Egyptian stadium when security forces barred fans from entering.

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Ivory Coast finally won the African Nations Cup after a decade of close calls as they edged neighbours Ghana 9-8 on penalties after a goalless draw following extra time in Sunday's final. (All AFP and Reuters pictures)
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It was a second title for Ivory Coast whose only previous success came when they also beat Ghana in a similar post-match marathon shootout 11-10 in Dakar in 1992.
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A total of 22 kicks were needed to settle the 2015 title with the Ivorians missing their first two attempts.
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It came down to the keepers to settle matters after all the outfield players had taken a penalty each with the score at 8-8.
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Victory for the Ivorians also handed Frenchman Herve Renard the distinction of becoming the first coach to win the Nations Cup with different countries after success with Zambia in 2012, when they edged the Ivorians in a shootout.
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Billed as a 'dream' final between the west African neighbours, it became the fourth decider in the last eight to finish goalless and be settled by spot-kicks.
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Their triumph came on a night when 19 people died outside an Egyptian match after security forces barred fans from entering the stadium.
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Most of the dead were suffocated when the crowd stampeded after police used teargas to clear the supporters trying to force their way into a league match between two Cairo clubs, Zamalek and Enppi.
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The trouble highlighted the problems facing African football and overshadowed the thrilling climax to the Nations Cup tournament in Equatorial Guinea, who stepped in as hosts after Morocco was stripped of the hosting rights.
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The violence prompted the government to postpone the Egyptian Premier League indefinitely.
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Egypt has suspended all major football games in the latest outbreak of violence between fans and police.

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