Let's start from the beginning...
1. Morocco: Expelled, Banned and then Fined
Morocco was originally set to host these games, qualifying into the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament as the host nation. However, due to serious health concerns over the outbreak of the Ebola virus, Morocco were forced to withdraw from hosting the tournament no less than 2 months before it was due to begin, after having their initial request to have the tournament delayed until 2016 denied by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Equatorial Guinea stepped in to host the tournament instead, but this was not the end of Morocco's troubles. As a result of pulling out of their hosting commitments, they were subsequently banned from participating in the tournament until 2021, fined £650,000, and have been ordered to pay £5.9 million in damages. A high price to pay for trying to ensure the safety of millions of football fans, you might say...
2. Drawing Lots
Having finished the group stages on the same number of points, scoring and conceding the same number of goals and with an equal head-to-head record, there was nothing left to separate Equatorial Guinea and Mali in order to decide who would progress to the quarter-final stage.
The answer? Drawing lots. Apparently.
Whilst this might seem slightly controversial at first (especially considering AFCON could have chosen a less contentious winner-takes-all play-off match instead) it's not like this has never happened before. The last time lots were drawn at the continental tournament was back in 1988, but nevertheless I do feel that having a system where teams progress purely based on luck seems like a pretty cruel and unjust way to end the tournament hopes of an entire nation.
But maybe that's just me...
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| Riot police shielding the Ghanaian players as they leave the pitch |
Guinea have been no strangers to controversy in this year's tournament, having been given the right to host only at the last minute, and then also taking part in the competition's first drawing of lots in almost 30 years. However, no one could have predicted what eventually unfolded in their semi-final match against Ghana. Bottles and other missiles were hurled onto the pitch at the Ghanaian players and their fans as Equatorial Guinea slumped to a 3-nil defeat. What started off as a normal game of football descended into chaos as riot police were forced to shield the Ghana players when leaving the pitch, and troublesome fans were fought off with tear gas and a low-hovering helicopter. With the game already dead and buried, the match was halted completely 5 minutes from time to a now near-empty stadium. Now not only out of the competition, but to add insult to injury Equatorial Guinea were subsequently fined $100,000 (£65,000) for causing the trouble, and to also pay for the treatment of 36 fans injured in the disturbances.
Talk about an explosive AFCON tournament for the host nation!
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| Ivory Coast- AFCON 2015 Champions |
4. The Finale!
We had 2 saved penalties, countless other missed penalties, a goalkeeper with one too many "injuries" and a grown man in tears. The final of the African Cup of Nations 2015 between the Ivory Coast and Ghana was a memorable one!
After a very cagey and largely forgetful 90 minutes, the game headed into extra-time, where I was hoping that both teams would come out of their shells a bit more and do more attacking so as to press for a win.
Well that didn't happen.
You can only imagine my excitement and elation when the prospect of penalties finally became a reality. The drama that unfolded was too dramatic even for this year's tournament. As the Ivory Coast missed their first 2 penalties with Ghana having scored theirs, everyone was thinking that the destination of the trophy was a foregone conclusion. Ghana were about to become the African champions for the first time in 33 years.
Or at least that's what we thought.
Having had the penalty shoot-out wrapped up and seemingly already in the bag, Ghana went and missed their next 2 penalties, with the Ivory Coast scoring all of theirs. Now the tie was level at 2-2, and from that point on you always felt the momentum was now with the Ivorians. Ghana had a just blown a glorious opportunity to end their goal drought.
Sure enough, Ghana missed a couple more of their penalties, some on account of the Ivorian goalkeeper making a number well-judges saves, and the Ivory Coast were crowned winners of the 2015 African Cup of Nations, thus bringing to an end at times a tumultuous, but ultimately thoroughly entertaining and exciting tournament.
Bring on 2017!
We had 2 saved penalties, countless other missed penalties, a goalkeeper with one too many "injuries" and a grown man in tears. The final of the African Cup of Nations 2015 between the Ivory Coast and Ghana was a memorable one!
After a very cagey and largely forgetful 90 minutes, the game headed into extra-time, where I was hoping that both teams would come out of their shells a bit more and do more attacking so as to press for a win.
Well that didn't happen.
You can only imagine my excitement and elation when the prospect of penalties finally became a reality. The drama that unfolded was too dramatic even for this year's tournament. As the Ivory Coast missed their first 2 penalties with Ghana having scored theirs, everyone was thinking that the destination of the trophy was a foregone conclusion. Ghana were about to become the African champions for the first time in 33 years.
Or at least that's what we thought.
Having had the penalty shoot-out wrapped up and seemingly already in the bag, Ghana went and missed their next 2 penalties, with the Ivory Coast scoring all of theirs. Now the tie was level at 2-2, and from that point on you always felt the momentum was now with the Ivorians. Ghana had a just blown a glorious opportunity to end their goal drought.
Sure enough, Ghana missed a couple more of their penalties, some on account of the Ivorian goalkeeper making a number well-judges saves, and the Ivory Coast were crowned winners of the 2015 African Cup of Nations, thus bringing to an end at times a tumultuous, but ultimately thoroughly entertaining and exciting tournament.
Bring on 2017!
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