Reporting
CAN 2024 final: celebration and tears, blues and joy of the supporters, between Abidjan and Abuja
Ivory Coast won the 34th football CAN after a final victory 2 goals to 1 against Nigeria. At the final whistle, jubilation took over Abidjan, the economic capital. In Abuja, on the other hand, Super Eagles supporters gathered in bars quickly deserted the scene when the final whistle blew.
The Ivorian Franck Kessié in the duel with the Nigerian Calvin Bassey during the CAN 2024 final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast in Ébimpé, February 11, 2024. © Pierre René-Worms / RFI
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“
Côte d’Ivoire is champion of Africa! Who would have believed it? I'm so happy, it's beautiful!
», proclaims this supporter into the microphone of
Marine Jeannin
, our correspondent in Abidjan. Between the fireworks, the songs and the
vuvuzelas
, the supporters shout their joy until they lose their voices. Winning this CAN against Nigeria, at home, created a moment of national communion that will be remembered: “
We won! Lord Jesus, thank you! I tell you, it was so hot, I took off my wig and threw it somewhere
,” says this other enthusiastic Elephants supporter.
Ivorian supporters at the moment of the final whistle and the coronation of the Elephants in Ébimpé, February 11, 2024. © Pierre René-Worms / RFI
However, victory did not seem to be a foregone conclusion! This final match was as dense, as rich in twists and turns as the entire journey of the Elephants since the start of the CAN. For this man, “
it's emotion, total emotion... but the cup remained in Ivory Coast, that's the main thing.
»
While waiting to embroider a third star on their orange jersey, the Ivorians have promised to party until dawn. Without fear of waking up: the presidency promised that this Monday would be a public holiday!
Gloominess in Abuja
Yellow smile, Chinedu does not take his eyes off the screen. He was banking so much on a Super Eagles victory to forget his gloomy daily life: “We arrived at this stage and we had high expectations. We wanted to do better, we wanted to do well. But it’s unfortunate,” he told our correspondent in Abuja,
Moïse Gomis
.
Deborah follows football, but only when the Super Eagles are on TV. She expected to celebrate the fourth star for Nigeria: “
I'm not well, I'm not happy. I'm not happy; seriously. They beat us, so I’m seriously not happy
.” Williams thundered and cursed loudly throughout the match. He deciphered every run and gesture of the two teams. Final lost. Williams' week started off badly: “
Our players didn't put in more energy, especially when they scored the first goal. They could have tried to score the second goal.
»
The Alassane-Ouattara stadium before the CAN 2024 final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast in Ébimpé. © Pierre René-Worms / RFI
For Charles, on the other hand, the best team won. And without possible dispute: “
Côte d’Ivoire played well and they deserve it. I think the Super Eagles will learn from this misstep and do better next time
.” In less than 10 minutes, the entire Cornershop area in Abuja emptied. The enchanted parenthesis of the CAN is over.
Read alsoCAN 2024: explosion of joy in Abidjan after the third coronation of the Ivory Coast
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