AFCON 2023: Fans Protest Cote d’Ivoire’s Defeat By Equatorial Guinea, Destroy Properties

Irate Ivorian football fans on Monday night took to the streets of Abidjan to protest the humiliating 4-0 defeat of the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in their last group game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, reports Prime Business Africa.

The 4-0 hiding is the heaviest defeat suffered by a host of the Africa Cup of Nations since ots inception in 1963.

Ovproam newspapers are reporting on Tuesday morning that buses and public properties were destroyed as the fans express their dismay on the poor showing by their team.

Cote d’Ivoire’only hopes of progressing to the round of 16 stage of the tournament rests on results elsewhere as they stand a chance of qualifiying as one of the four best third place in the group stage.

With almost all the groups delicately poised and final standings would only be determined after the conclusion of the group stage matches on Wednesday, the fans failed to wait for the final outcomes.

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According to a newspaper, Framat in Abidjan, riots engulfed streets of Abidjan following the humiliating defeat of the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire by Equatorial Guinea on Monday.

The hosts, in need to avert a defeat, as even a draw could suffice, were roundly beaten 4-0 by unlikely winners, Equatorial Guinea in what has become the biggest defeat of a host country in the 67 year history of the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to Framat, buses were stoned as the crowd dispersed from the Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe area of Abidjan.

Meanwhile, in another video, things were seen been burnt in the streets of Abidjan as police could be seen trying to contend the situation.

The Police quelled the situation with teargas as some sports journalists including a Nigerian working scampered for safety.

Prime Business Africa also gathered that Ghsnanaian football fans were also ited by the elimination of the Black Stars.

Despite leading 2-0 against Mozambique, the four time African champions capitulated and allowed the Mambas to equalise thereby exiting the tournament just as they did in the 2021 Afcon but hosted in January 2022 in Cameroon.

Ghana have now gone seven games at the Africa Cup of Nations without a win, drawing four times and losing three.

Angry fans ordered their national team players to come down from the team bus but the team were prptected by the police.

It will be recalled that a disgruntled Ghanaian fan threatened to attach head coach, Chris Houghton.