By Fredrick Nadulli aka Razor,

Cote d’Ivoire 0-0 Ghana (9-8) PENS

Ghana’s penalty jinx against Ivory Coast came back to haunt them when the Elephants fought from behind to overcome the Black Stars in a pulsating final in Bata.Boubakar Barry was the hero of the night,saving Afriyieh Acquah’s spotkick to revive his side’s hopes before stepping up to bury the last and decisive kick in sudden death.The Lokeren keeper,starting in the final only because of injury to first choice Sylvain Gbouhou,out injured,displayed the massive experience that has seen him stand between the sticks for years for the Elephants.

TENSE TIE

After a scoreless 120 minutes of play that saw both sides trade attacks,the game went to penalties,reminiscent of the final pitting the two giants twenty three odd years ago in Dakar.Then,Ivory Coast triumphed 11-10.
Lightning struck twice,this time winning 9-8 after 22 penalties were fired at goal.Ghana seemed to be cruising,tucking away their first two as the Ivorians missed through Bony and Tallo.Barry saved Afriyie’s effort before Acheampong missed for the Elephants to draw level.It went down to the eleventh kicker,when keeper Razak missed his and Barry buried his.
This is only Ivory Coast’s second trophy in their history.
Their coach Herve Renard also made history by becoming the first tactician to win the cup with two different nations,his first in 2012 with Zambia in Gabon.