Images of Ivory Coast fans celebrating their team’s progress through the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations have made global headlines this past month, but Kolo Toure believes the hosts’ fortunes changed when Elephants fans protested in anger earlier in the tournament.
Shortly after the country’s heaviest ever home – and Nations Cup – defeat, when losing 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea in their final group game, Ivorian supporters booed inside the Abidjan arena before some vandalised buses and other property in scenes that were widely condemned.
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Nonetheless, former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Toure says a result that left the Elephants on a precipice, one they eventually retreated from after squeezing through as a best third-placed side, lies behind their place in Sunday’s final against Nigeria.
“That loss was a big wake-up call for the players because they saw that fans in the country were really, really angry,” the 42-year-old told the World Football at Afcon podcast.
“A few things happened and since that game I think the players realised how that important the tournament was for the country. That was a turning point.”