FEATURE: A COUNTRY RAVAGED BY WAR, BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE BY FOOTBALL SET TO HOST OF THE CONTINENT

 For a country that gained it's independence in 1960 under long standing leader, the late Felix Houphoet Boigny, Ivory Coast became one of strongest forces on the continent under the former President.

As one of the nations with most appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, the country had to wait till 1992 for their first glory against Ghana in a marathon penalty shootout. 

Even though the country hosted the continental showpiece in 1984 for the first time in their history, they have been given the hosting rights in 40 years as the 2023 and 34th edition beckons.

The death of Felix Houphoet Boigny created a leadership gap in 1993 as he favoured Speaker of Parliament Henri Konan Bedie to take over as his successor. For an election that was was held in 1995, Bedie won against fragmented oppositions as his leadership for only lasted 4 years following his overthrow by Military leader Robert Guei in 1999. 

Despite the country's resolve to return back to democracy, a disputed elections were held the following year which led to the full blown first Ivorian Civil War in 2002. After all these chaotic scenes, it had to take football to bring the country back on track. 

Ivorians will never forget last 2006 World Cup qualifier in Khartoum against Sudan. Didier Drogba and the entire Elephants squad kneeled down begging Ivorians to please lay down their tools and organize elections.

As the country qualified to its first World Cup in 2006, the Mundial really brought everyone together as a Peace Pact was signed the following year between the Government under Laurent Gbagbo and New Forces of Ivory Coast which was a rebel group led by Guillome Soro.

The disputed elections in 2010 roared it's ugly head again as peace process was disrupted in a keen contest between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara but peace later on prevailed.

Ivory Coast won their second Afcon title again, against Ghana in Equatorial Guinea, in 2015 after enjoying three consecutive stints of World Cup Football. 

   

As the country is set to host the continental showpiece for the second time which a lot of Ivorians are happy and expectant about the tournament lands in their country since 1984. 

Football has indeed been the bedrock of the country especially as it's been used as a tool to bring the country back to normalcy.

Story by: Mohammed Awal Hudu (Kessben FM/TV)