Cote d’Ivoire’s Coach Herve Renard, whose team won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, has described himself as a “lucky coach”.
“I believe in history and I am a lucky coach,” the Frenchman said after his team beat Ghana 9-8 on penalties.
Both teams had played goalless at full and extra time in the final.
Cote d’Ivoire’s first Nations Cup title in 1992 was also won via penalties against Ghana, meaning that history has repeated itself.
Renard, who has now won two Nations Cup titles, after leading Zambia to victory in 2012, said his team was lucky to have come from two goals down in the shootout on Sunday.
He attributed the victory of the Elephants to God and dedicated the trophy to ex-Ivorian star, Didier Drogba.
Ivorian star, Kolo Toure, who has lost two previous finals, also dedicated the victory to the past Elephant stars like Drogba, as well as his brother, Ibrahim, who passed away during the last FIFA World Cup
Toure said: “We are really happy. This time God has given us the trophy. The country has been waiting for the trophy for so many years. Our generation has been waiting for this trophy for so many years.”
Toure hinted this may be his last appearance at the two yearly Nations Cup, but said he would still make the necessary consultations before making up his mind.