2015 Africa Cup of Nations Final

The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Final was a football match that took place on 8 February 2015 to determine the winner of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The match was held at the Estadio de Bata in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.[2]

2015 Africa Cup of Nations Final
The Estadio de Bata hosted the final
Event2015 Africa Cup of Nations
Ivory Coast Ghana
0 0
After extra time
Ivory Coast won 9–8 on penalties
Date8 February 2015 (2015-02-08)
VenueEstadio de Bata, Bata
Man of the MatchAfriyie Acquah (Ghana)[1]
Fair Player of the MatchWilfried Bony (Ivory Coast)[1]
RefereeBakary Gassama (Gambia)
Attendance32,857

Background

The Ivory Coast appeared in their 20th Africa Cup of Nations tournament, their sole victory coming in 1992 when they defeated Ghana on sudden-death in a penalty shootout at the end of a goalless draw at the Stade de l'Amitié in Dakar, Senegal. They also played in the final in 2006 and 2012, losing in shootouts after goalless draws against Egypt and Zambia respectively.

Ghana also appeared in their 20th tournament, and their 9th final. They have previously won 4 (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982) and lost 4 (1968, 1970, 1992, 2010).

Ivory Coast were 28th in the FIFA World Rankings (3rd among African nations), while Ghana were 37th (5th among African nations).[3]

Route to the final
Ivory Coast Round Ghana
Opponent Result Group stage Opponent Result
 Guinea 1–1 Match 1  Senegal 1–2
 Mali 1–1 Match 2  Algeria 1–0
 Cameroon 1–0 Match 3  South Africa 2–1
Group D winner
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Ivory Coast 312032+15
 Guinea 30303303
 Mali 30303303
 Cameroon 302123−12
 Final standings Group C winner
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Ghana 320143+16
 Algeria 320152+36
 Senegal 311134−14
 South Africa 301236−31
Opponent Result Knockout stage Opponent Result
 Algeria 3–1 Quarterfinals  Guinea 3–0
 DR Congo 3–1 Semifinals  Equatorial Guinea 3–0

Match

Summary

The match was 0–0 after 120 minutes. Both teams played conservatively, preferring to attack on the break, so a 0–0 draw after extra time was predictable.[4] Ghana had the better chances in regulation time, hitting the woodwork twice with Christian Atsu's 25-yard shot and André Ayew"s effort from a tight angle.[5] The Ivory Coast had an opportunity earlier when Max Gradel hit the ball over the bar after a Ghana mistake.[6] The match went to penalties. Ghana went to a 2–0 lead with Wilfried Bony and Junior Tallo both missing for the Ivorians.[5] Veteran second choice Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry, who was called on in the final to replace the injured Sylvain Gbohouo, produced a save against Afriyie Acquah.[6] Frank Acheampong then missed for Ghana, and the teams were level. Both teams continued to make their penalties. After every outfield player had taken a shot, the match was decided by Barry, who saved an attempt from Ghana goalkeeper Brimah Razak and then scored past Razak himself to give the Ivory Coast the title.[5]

Details
Ivory Coast 0–0 (a.e.t.) Ghana
Report
Penalties
 9–8
Attendance: 32,857
Ivory Coast
Ghana
GK1Boubacar Barry
RB17Serge Aurier
CB21Eric Bailly 105+1'
CB4Kolo Touré
LB22Wilfried Kanon 87'
CM20Serey Die 14'
CM19Yaya Touré (c)
RW15Max Gradel 67'
LW5Siaka Tiéné 57' 116'
CF12Wilfried Bony
CF10Gervinho 120+2'
Substitutes:
DF2Ousmane Viera
FW3Roger Assalé
MF6Cheick Doukouré
FW7Seydou Doumbia 67'
FW8Salomon Kalou 116'
MF9Cheick Tioté (injured)[7]
FW11Tallo Gadji 120+2'
DF13Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro
MF14Ismaël Diomandé
GK16Sylvain Gbohouo (injured)[7]
FW18Lacina Traoré
GK23Sayouba Mandé
Manager:
Hervé Renard
GK1Brimah Razak
RB23Harrison Afful
CB21John Boye
CB19Jonathan Mensah
LB17Baba Rahman
CM11Wakaso Mubarak
CM6Afriyie Acquah
RW7Christian Atsu 116'
LW10André Ayew
CF3Asamoah Gyan (c) 120+1'
CF2Kwesi Appiah 99'
Substitutes:
DF4Edwin Gyimah
DF5Mohamed Awal
MF8Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu  120+1'
FW9Jordan Ayew 99'
GK12Ernest Sowah
MF13Mohammed Rabiu
MF14Solomon Asante
FW15Mahatma Otoo
GK16Fatau Dauda
DF18Daniel Amartey
FW20David Accam
FW22Frank Acheampong 116'
Manager:
Avram Grant

Man of the Match:
Afriyie Acquah (Ghana)[1]
Fair Player of the Match:
Wilfried Bony (Ivory Coast)[1]

Assistant referees:
Djibril Camara (Senegal)
Ali Waleed Ahmed (Sudan)
Fourth official:
Janny Sikazwe (Zambia)

References
  1. "Orange AFCON 2015 Awards and Best XI". CAF. 12 February 2015.
  2. "AFCON match schedule". African Football. Graeme Jackson. December 4, 2014.
  3. "Men's Ranking, 08 January 2015". FIFA.com. FIFA. January 8, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  4. "Ivory Coast win Africa Cup of Nations in penalty shootout against Ghana". The Guardian. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  5. "Ivory Coast 0-0 Ghana". BBC. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  6. "Ivory Coast hold their nerve to beat Ghana, win 2015 African Nations Cup". ESPNFC. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  7. "Media Start List: Côte D'Ivoire - Ghana" (PDF). CAF. 8 February 2015.
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