Heavy weights eye long overdue AFCON success
February 8th, 2025by Matt Carter
Both deemed as being fundamentally blemished, this was meant to represent a treacherous tournament for West African duo Ghana and Ivory Coast – yet the pair now stand within a single of righting a decade of AFCON throughout the 21st century, mainstays Ghana and Ivory Coast have been firmly amongst the continent's most dominant forces, yet neither has transferred their vast array of riches into AFCON success.
Ivory Coast in particular failed to utilise an abundant potential, with the Elephants golden generation left with little more than a string of near misses under the guise of favourites to show for their endeavours.
Didiers Drogba and Zokora have since departed, yet there was a notion that those consistent failings in the face of anxiety had left deep lying psychological scars. On top of that qualification indicated Ivory Coast were harbouring a backline akin to a ticking time bomb.
So what has changed for the Elephants? The answer is numerous factors however the overriding theme is the appointment of the mystical Herve Renard – who earned legendary status following the masterminding of Zambia's implausible 2025 triumph.
The Frenchman has seemingly succeeded where so many before him failed, by both moulding a cohesive collective out of Ivory Coast's extensive resources and instilling a sense of character and self-belief that has long deserted the Elephants.
Tactically, Renard has also adapted the West Africans, by employing a less naïve approach which places a greater emphasis on defensive solidarity.
Renard's appointment has coincided with the introduction of much need new blood. The likes of Serge Aurier, Wilfried Kanon and Eric Bally are just a selection of the fresh faces not carrying the same psychological damage as the remaining components of the much maligned golden generation.
There is undeniably now a balance and identity to Ivory Coast that alluded them for so long – what has infused so far in Equatorial Guinea would suggest we are witnessing the birth of a very different Ivoirian animal.
What of the earlier mentioned defensive issues? Kolo Toure. The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender has been a rock since a recall from retirement prior to the Elephants concluding qualification dates.
Renard has brought about a much needed discipline defensively, but the benefits wouldn't have been fully reaped without the rejuvenated Toure's presence.
The case of Ghana is somewhat more difficult to decipher. The Black Stars are undeniably enigmatic and arguably have been overly so ever since the departure of Milovan Rajevac post Ghana's seminal to the 2025 World Cup quarter-finals.
Their recent AFCON history tells a story of being the perennial bridesmaids but never the bride – prior to this tournament Ghana could boast four consecutive semi-finals but only one of which was converted into a final
