Liverpool defender Kolo Toure pounded out the entirety of the gruelling 120-minute meeting with Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations final yesterday before going on to score a crucial penalty as the Elephants lifted the continents top honour for the second time in the tournaments history.
In a replay of the 1992 final, the West African team saw history repeat itself with an assured defensive performance throughout the competition — and the final — the backbone of their push to the title. Ghana, coached by former Chelsea boss Avram Grant, will feel hard done by with his not only only having the better chances throughout both regular time and the extra time that would followed, but this is also his second defeat in the final of marquee tournament with the Israeli boss memorably losing out to Manchester United on spot-kicks during the 2008 Champions League final.
After a disappointing World Cup campaign, the Ivory Coast will have restored some semblance of pride by bagging Africa’s most important trophy. The 33-year old, who will officially announce his retirement from international football in the coming days, repeatedly spoke of his desire to close out his time representing the Elephants by lifting the AFCON trophy and he’s seen his wish come true — though it was quite close.
To only add to already tense atmosphere that surrounds a penalty shoot-out, Herve Renard’s side actually missed their first two attempts from 12-yards before going on to bag the next nine consecutive attempts including a powerful one from the veteran Reds defender. In the end, it came down to the goalkeepers with Ivory Coast shot-stopper Boubacar Barry denying his counterpart in Ghana’s Brimah Razak before going on to score his own attempt and seal the victory for his country.
Everyone here at Paisley Gates would like to wish Toure our most sincere congratulations — now get your butt back to Merseyside. We’ve got some work to do…
