AFCON 2023: Wild Scenes As Fans Hit the Streets in Jubilation After Ivory Coast Qualify for R16

• The streets of Ivory Coast erupted with joy after sealing qualification
• The chances of the AFCON hosts appeared all but ended
• But Morocco's win against Zambia catapulted them into the next round

Football enthusiasts in Ivory Coast erupted in celebration, flooding the streets to rejoice in their team securing a spot in the round of 16 of the ongoing 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.

Initially teetering on the edge of elimination following a substantial 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea, the 2023 AFCON hosts miraculously advanced to the next round.

The Elephants, relying on favourable outcomes in matches involving other nations, anxiously awaited results, as cited by DW.

With Namibia's draw against Mali working in their favour early on, Ivory Coast needed Morocco to defeat Zambia to realize their faint hopes.

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In a pivotal moment, Hakim Ziyech, the on-loan Chelsea forward, delivered a 37th-minute strike from a rebound, securing Morocco's victory over Chipolopolo, per Eurosport, consequently propelling Ivory Coast into the next stage.

As the final whistle blew, the country erupted in ecstatic celebration, captured in videos seen by Sports Brief.

Fans of the West African powerhouse flooded the streets, expressing uncontainable joy.

The jubilation, marked by car horns, lively vuvuzela sounds, and the cheers of grateful supporters, portrayed a nation relieved and thankful for the unexpected turn of events that saved them from what seemed like a heartbreaking exit.

Ivory Coast part ways with head coach

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast's head coach, Jean Louis Gasset, has been sacked after his team's disappointing loss to Equatorial Guinea in their final Group A tie, Sports Brief reported.

Despite being expected to secure victory on home soil, Gasset's team faced setbacks, losing two out of three group-stage matches.

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In the interim, Emerse Fae is poised to take on the head coaching role if Ivory Coast qualifies for the round of 16.

Morocco aids Ivory Coast's AFCON hopes

Sports Brief also reported that Ivory Coast's passage to the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations was secured by Morocco's 1-0 victory over Zambia on Wednesday.

The outcome, combined with a day marked by the dismissal of the tournament hosts' coach, ensured that Morocco claimed the top spot in Group F.

The defeat inflicted on Avram Grant's Chipolopolo resulted in their elimination in the first round.