Ivory Coast is one of Africa's major forces in the Africa Cup of Nations. Ivory Coast has won the tournament three times, most recently as hosts in 2023. They previously won in 1992 and 2015.[1][2] Ivory Coast has also finished as runner up twice, in 2006[3] and 2012.[4][5]
The penalty shootout was significant in that it was the first in the final of a major international tournament that every player on the pitch took a penalty.
Guinea and Mali finished level on the second spot after the group stage, making the first drawing of lots needed at the tournament since 1988. Unlike some other international tournaments, 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament regulations would not use fair-play criteria or a penalty shoot-out after the teams met on the last match day to determine the final group ranking. Both head coaches have openly criticised the regulations.[14]
Source: CAF Rules for classification: Tiebreakers Notes:
^ abGuinea and Mali were tied on head-to-head record, overall goal difference, and overall goals scored. A drawing of lots took place on 29 January 2015, 16:00 local time at the Hilton Malabo. Guinea selected the lot for 2nd place and advanced to the quarter-finals as the group runner-up.[15][16][17]
^Original kick-off at 20:00 but CAF announced on 9 February 2012 that the final would be delayed by half an hour due to "technical and logistical reasons".[12]
