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Cote d'Ivoire win Africa Cup of Nations title

Xinhua, February 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Cote d'Ivoire lifted their second Africa Cup of Nations title after edging neighbors Ghana 9-8 on penalties on Sunday.

A total of 22 kicks were needed to settle the win and goalkeeper Boubacar Barry converted the decisive spot kick for Cote d'Ivoire to be crowned again since 1992.

After a two-hour battle without any goals, the teams came down to the shootout.

Cote d'Ivoire missed their first two attempts and it came down to the keepers to settle matters after all the outfield players had taken a penalty each with the score at 8-8.

Barry, who was only playing because of injury to Sylvain Gbohouo, saved from Ghana goalkeeper Razak Brimah and then, after requiring treatment for an injury, got up to slot home the decisive spot kick.

The victory made Frenchman Herve Renard the first coach to win the Cup with different countries after success with Zambia in 2012, when they edged Cote d'Ivoire in a shootout.

Ghana's agonizing shootout defeat means they are still waiting for their first Nations Cup success since 1982.

Morocco were stripped of the tournament having asked for a postponement amid concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus and have been banned from the next two Africa Cups. Endi