AFCON 2023: Violence Erupts in Abidjan After Equatorial Guinea Annihilate Ivory Coast, Video

• Ivory Coast were subjected to a humiliating loss against Equatorial Guinea
• The defeat means their chances of qualification hang on a thin thread
• Meanwhile, some fans have taken to the streets to register their anguish

Pockets of violence have erupted in Abidjan on the back of Ivory Coast's humbling defeat against Equatorial Guinea in the ongoing 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.

With qualification at stake, Ivory Coast needed to avoid defeat to book a spot in the next round of the competition. However, they were handed a reality check by the African minnows.

The Nzalang Nacional braved the odds, which were stacked against them from the blast of the whistle, to score not once or twice but a jaw-dropping four times to hand the AFCON hosts their worst defeat in the history of Africa's flagship national team tournament.

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Emilio Nsue, who surprisingly leads the top scorer's chart at this year's competition, bagged two goals before strikes from Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla sealed the mammoth win.

The embarrassing nature of the result forced fans to abort watching the clash midway into the second half. The fans were not the only ones left in absolute shock as Didier Drogba, the iconic Chelse and Ivorian striker, was spotted looking despondent.

Unfortunately, the disappointment degenerated into violence as fans registered their displeasure in the worst possible manner by taking to the streets.

In videos circulating on social media, spotted by Sports Brief, buses have been vandalised, and bonfires have been set in some streets of Abidjan as the police tried to calm situations.

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In a related publication, Sports Brief reported that Chelsea icon Didier Drogba was visibly dismayed as he witnessed Cote d'Ivoire endure a crushing defeat against Equatorial Guinea in their Group A clash at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Drogba, the former captain of Cote d'Ivoire, was present in the stands as the host nation suffered one of their most devastating losses in the tournament, significantly diminishing their chances of advancement.

In a widely circulated video on social media, Drogba was observed expressing his dejection while Cote d'Ivoire's tournament hopes faded away.