Didier Drogba: Chelsea Legend Stirs Up Fans in the Final Seconds of Ivory Coast’s Win Over DR Congo

Didier Drogba: Chelsea Legend Stirs Up Fans in the Final Seconds of Ivory Coast’s Win Over DR Congo

Elijah Odetokun
updated at February 8, 2024 at 9:19 AM
In this article:
Didier Drogba logo
D. Drogba
-FIvory Coast logo
Sébastien Haller logo
S.Haller
Borussia Dortmund logoFIvory Coast logo
Ivory Coast logo
Cote DIvoire
Ivory Coast
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Democratic Republic of the Congo logo
DR Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
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CAF Africa Cup of Nations logo
CAF AFCON
Africa
Super Eagles logo
Super Eagles
South Africa
Nigeria logo
Nigeria
Nigeria
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Borussia Dortmund logo
Borussia Dortmund
Germany
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  • Hosts Ivory Coast beat DR Congo 1-0 to reach AFCON 2023 final
  • Forward Sebastian Haller scored the only goal for the Elephants
  • Legend Didier Drogba was in the stands cheering up the crowd

Didier Drogba was every Ivory Coast fan in the final seconds of their 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo to progress to the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Ivory Coast had quite a journey to the final, from losing 4-0 in the last group game to qualifying for the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams

Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, CAF, AFCON.
Didier Drogba celebrates after Ivory Coast beat DR Congo to reach AFCON 2023 final. Photo by Ulrik Pedersen.
Source: Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastian Haller got the winning goal to help the host country advance to the final, where they will play the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The Eagles beat South Africa on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, thanks to Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s heroics, in which he saved two spot-kicks.

Drogba stirs up Ivory Coast fans

Drogba has been present for all the Elephants’ games as they look to win their third AFCON title on home soil despite starting the tournament slowly, and we're on the brink of elimination.

As seen in a video by CAF Online, the two-time African footballer of the year was agitated in the final seconds and gestured to the home fans to keep the noise levels up.

At the final whistle, he nearly lost it to run to the pitch but turned back and celebrated with the fans instead, as the whole stadium erupted into a cheerful atmosphere.

Per BR Football, the former Chelsea forward retired internationally in 2014 after losing two AFCON finals, and unfortunately, a year later, Yaya Toure led the country to victory in 2015.

He is one of the African football greats who never got their hands on the gold trophy as a player.

Osimhen shares moments with Drogba

Sports Brief previously reported Victor Osimhen sharing a moment with Drogba before Nigeria played against Cote d'Ivoire in the group stage, which the Super Eagles won 1-0.

The Napoli forward was almost prostrating for his idol, a form of greeting in South West Nigeria, where he grew up in the slums of Lagos.

Authors
Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.