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Tag: Ivory Coast

  • VeryDarkMan: We’ll return trafficked underage girls from Ivory Coast – Air Peace

    VeryDarkMan: We’ll return trafficked underage girls from Ivory Coast – Air Peace

    Dr Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace Ltd., has pledged to bring back Nigerian underage girls trafficked to Ivory Coast free of charge.

    In a statement by Onyema on Saturday in Lagos, he expressed concern over the recent discovery of the act by a social media activist, VeryDarkMan.

    According to Onyema, the country needs collective efforts to discourage trafficking, as it is inhumane and ungodly.

    “We should discourage trafficking of any kind. It is inhumane and callous. It is absolutely ungodly and a good example of man’s inhumanity to man.

    “We, in Air Peace, are ready to bring our fellow citizens back home free off charge.

    “Besides that, we are going to send all of them to Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja for free medical examination and treatment.”

    Onyema urged the Nigerian Embassy in Cote D’Ivoire to assemble the girls and reach out to Air Peace for their return.

    He also called the Federal Government to take charge of their education and reunite them with their families.

  • Ivory Coast announces withdrawal of French troops

    Ivory Coast announces withdrawal of French troops

    French troops will soon begin departing from Ivory Coast, the West African country’s President Alassane Ouattara announced in his New Year address.

    “We have decided on a coordinated and organised withdrawal of French troops,” said Ouattara in the televised speech.

    The departure will begin in January, according to the president, who also referred to the modernisation of the Ivorian army.

    The location of the French naval infantry battalion in Port Bouet would, therefore, be handed over to the country’s own forces, he said.

    Around 600 French soldiers are currently stationed in Ivory Coast.

    Several West African states including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger had previously called on France to withdraw its troops.

    France maintained a military presence in countries in the region even after the end of its colonial rule, being most recently involved in the fight against Islamist extremists.

    When the French troops leave the Ivory Coast, the only remaining  French military bases in Africa will be in Gabon and Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.

  • I still can’t believe we won AFCON – Cote d’Ivoire’s coach

    I still can’t believe we won AFCON – Cote d’Ivoire’s coach

    Emerse Fae, coach of the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, says he still finds it hard to believe that his team won Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.

    Fae, at the post-match press conference, said he was overwhelmed by the great feeling of guiding the Elephants to glory on home soil.

    Cote d’Ivoire came from behind to seal a 2-1 victory over Nigeria at a packed Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe on Sunday evening.

    The man who took over from Jean-Louis Gasset said it was hard to fathom that they came from almost being knocked out, to winning the title.

    “I still find it hard to believe it. We went through all the emotions. This competition will mark my life, that’s for sure.

    “I took the reins of the team on my birthday, and we were almost knocked out, yet things turned around.

    “Thanks to the hard work of these players and today they have been rewarded and more importantly, they rewarded our loyal people,” said the coach.

    Fae also took home the Best Coach of the Tournament award for showing tactical acumen in guiding the Elephants to trophy.

    Peseiro credits “remarkable job” by Cote d’Ivoire

    Super Eagles Head coach, Jose Peseiro has credited the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire for being the better team on Sunday night.

    This was after the hosts came from behind to seal a 2-1 victory in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cote d’ivoire 2023 in Ebimpe.

    The Super Eagles after being well on course to a fourth AFCON gold medal were edged by the hosts who showed character in coming back from a goal down.

    Speaking after the match, the Portuguese who was coaching in his first AFCON said he was sad that his team could not go all the way but conceded to his opponents on the night.

    “They were better than us today, they managed the pressure better, and they did a remarkable job.

    “My team did not play at the same level. My team is sad but for me they did what they could.

    “We conceded goals from a few defensive errors, and we dropped the tempo against the Ivoirians.

    “But I am proud of the way my players performed in this tournament”, he said.

    William Troost-Ekong, the captain of the Super Eagles who scored Nigeria’s only goal of the match, was awarded the Best Player of the Tournament award.

  • How Cote d’Ivoire won 2023 AFCON

    How Cote d’Ivoire won 2023 AFCON

    Hosts Côte d’Ivoire have emerged winners of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament they hosted.

    Cote d’Ivoire ended the dramatic tournament with an equally dramatic victory over Nigeriaon Sunday night in Abidjan.

    The hosts came from behind to win 2-1 after trailing at half-time to a William Troost-Ekong’s powerful header which gave Nigeria the lead in the 38th minute.

    The hosts however came back strongly in the second half.

    In the packed stadium with over 58,000 Ivorian fans behind the Elephants, Franck Kessie levelled scores in the 62nd minute.

    The Ivorians would have the last laugh as Sebastian Haller scored the winning goal in the 81st minute,  with a clever toe poke after a dangerous cross into the Eagles’ vital area.

    The result meant Cote d’Ivoire grabbed their third AFCON title.

    This was after they won for the first time in 1992 and then in 2015.

    The hosts had a very special campaign.

    Having qualified for the knockout stages only as one of the best representatives of the third position.

    They even qualified as the last best losers.

    Defeats to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea led to the sacking of coach Jean-Louis Gasset.

    Emerse Fae then led Coted’Ivoire to the trophy.

    Nigeria’s stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament award.

    Troost-Ekong playing his last AFCON tourney had scored three goals in the tournament, including the beautiful header in the finals and stood as a “rock of Gibraltar” in the Nigerian defence.

    Mamelodi Sundowns Goalkeeper and Captain of South Africa, Romwen Williams won the best goal keeper of the tournament.

    The top goal scorer award went to Spanish-born Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea, who scored five goals three of which was a hat-trick against the champions, Cote d’Ivoire.

    South Africa collected its bronze medals having won the third place match against DR Congo.

    Earlier, the AFCON flag was transferred to Morocco which would host the tournament in 2025.

  • Four players who cost Super Eagles 4th AFCON title

    Four players who cost Super Eagles 4th AFCON title

    The Elephants of Ivory Coast defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday to lift their third Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Sebastian Haller scored the winning goal to hand Ivory Coast the 2023 AFCON title.

    A lackluster performance by Ola Aina saw Simon Adingra drove past the Nigerian defence like Lagos road without traffic to set up Haller for the winning goal.

    Missing his penalty kick in the semi final clash against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa seemed to have destabilised the the right back.

    Meanwhile, Stanley Nwabali, who had been outstanding all through the 2023 AFCON tournament was left helpless with Haller’s goal. He could only watch as the ball sailed into his net.

    Nwabali generally lost his characteristic calmness and composure in the game. He picked an unnecessary yellow card, and stepped out to give Franck Kessie’s equalising header an easy ride into his net.

    In the midfield, Alex Iwobi did little to nothing to produce creativity. He was mostly bossed out before he was replaced in the game.

    The 2023 AFCON final saw Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro made certain changes to a solid team he fielded in the tournament before the final.

    Peseiro played Samuel Chukwueze ahead of Moses Simon, who he later introduced into the game with little to no impact on the game.

    Simon had in previous matches returned deep into defence to provide assistance for Aina, which Ademola Lookman had also replicated in his wing. But Chukwueze failed to provide this assistance to Aina in the final.

    Changes made by the Super Eagles coach in the course of the game did nothing to change the rhythm of play as the Eagles were soaked in pressure by The Elephants in the second period.

    Peseiro’s style of play had been based on tactical discipline. Defend well before making progress for goals. However, this final saw the Super Eagles made a lot of school boys mistakes.

    The lackluster performance by Aina and Iwobi; Nwabali choosing the wrong day not to shine, and Peseiro not sticking to his winning team cost Nigeria its 4th AFCON title.

    The resultant effect means that the Ivorians who managed to qualify from the group stage as best losers went on to win the 2023 AFCON trophy.

    TNG reports the Super Eagles nevertheless collectively put on a good show of themselves, with William Troost-Ekong standing out and winning the Best Player of the Tournament award.

    It was actually Troost-Ekong who put the Super Eagles in the lead after he rose up high in the air to nod home a corner kick in the 38th minute of the final.

    However, Kessie put The Elephants level in the 62nd minute of play with a header similar to that of Troost-Ekong before Haller went on to score the winning goal for The Elephants.

    Adingra, who provided the assist for Haller’s winning goal, went on to win the Best Young Player of the Tournament and Ronwen Williams of South Africa won the Best Goalkeeper award.

    While the Best Coach award went to Côte d’Ivoire’s Emerse Fae, Emilio Nsue won the Golden Boot with 5 goals for Equatorial Guinea and Bafana Bafana won the Fair Play Team award.

  • Our match against Ivory Coast is going to be easiest – Prophet Segun Odegbami

    Our match against Ivory Coast is going to be easiest – Prophet Segun Odegbami

    The Super Eagles final against Ivory Coast will be Nigeria’s easiest match according to former Nigerian international Segun Odegbami.

    Odegbami who was tagged mathematical Odegbami in his hey days days in the national team because of his skills said: “We have already beaten Ivory Coast; we beat them in the group stage, which gives us a psychological advantage.

    “Additionally, the hosts did not play well; they are not one of the best teams; They were lucky.

    ” It’s a miracle that they got to this point; they didn’t earn it or deserve it on the field.

    “In Sunday’s final it will be a loud crowd trying to lift their players against a team who should be unprepared for any distractions and focused for 90 minutes.

    “Let the Super Eagles play their game against a team that respects us; in the streets, Ivorians know that we are superior; we just need to show it.”

  • #AFCON2023 final: Predict and win [Nigeria vs Ivory Coast]

    #AFCON2023 final: Predict and win [Nigeria vs Ivory Coast]

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the The Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire qualified for the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Eagles qualified for the 2023 AFCON final after defeating South Africa while Côte d’Ivoire qualified after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Both teams, therefore, set up the 2023 AFCON final clash scheduled for 11th February 2023 in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan. The Stade Olympique Alassane-Ouattara d’Ebimpé will host the final on Sunday from 8.00 p.m Nigerian time.

    As a way of rewarding our loyal audience, TNG has launched a predict and win campaign for the 2023 AFCON final. Ardent readers of www.TheNewsGuru.com will smile away with cash prizes.

    TNG predict and win: How to participate

    To participate:

    1. Follow @tngbreaking on Twitter
    2. Follow @thenewsgurung on IG
    3. Follow @thenewsguru.ng on TikTok
    4. Follow The NewsGuru Facebook page here
    5. ⁠Follow The NewsGuru WhatsApp Channel here
    6. Predict the winner of 2023 AFCON final: Nigeria vs Ivory Coast
    7. You must like this post. You must share this post using the hashtag #TheNewsGuruAFCON2023
    8. Also, tag 3 friends and use the hashtag #TheNewsGuruAFCON2023
    9. Double/edited prediction automatically disqualified
    10. All predictions end at kick off

    NOTE: Winners will be selected shortly after the 2023 AFCON final. Cash prizes up for grabs and 50 lucky winners will emerge.

  • AFCON 2023: Why we relocated to Ivory Coast – Nigerians reveal, praise Ivorian government

    AFCON 2023: Why we relocated to Ivory Coast – Nigerians reveal, praise Ivorian government

    Nigerians living in Ivory Coast have showered praises on the Ivorian governmnet for providing basic amenities and enabling environment for the people to eke out a living and make businesses thrive.

    Some Nigerians living in the country made it known that they made the decision to relocate fully to Ivory Coast after considering these factors.

    They added that the availability of electricity is making doing business in the country  very easy.

    Mr Johnson Abiodun who sells beverages and soft drinks in the country noted that he doesn’t have to bother about light to get his drink chilled and ready to be sold.

    ” Once I buy my drinks, I’m very sure it would be sold because the stable electricity makes it possible for them to get chilled and buyers would throng my shop to buy in their numbers”.

    Another business woman, Stella Amarue said she runs a computer center but doesn’t have to bother herself with generator or petrol, saying light hardly goes off in the country.

    ”I can always work freely without bothering myself with generator or fuel. The stable electricity here helps business to grow faster”.

    “The profit I have made in three years i have been here is much bigger than what i made in 10 years that i ran same business in Nigeria, reason is that much goes on fixing generator and buying of fuel”. She said.

    Mr Olaoye Akinbamidele runs a restaurant in Cocody, Abidjan and he disclosed that he can always buy raw food and store in his freezer knowing full well they will not get spoilt anytime soon.

    He added that ease of doing business is very okay in the country as compared to Nigeria where you have to provide some necessary amenities by oneself.

    However, Madam Titi  Amora a fashion designer in Liberte, Abidjan decried the expensive accommodation in the country, saying that what she pays monthly for accommodation can actually pay a good rent annually in Nigeria.

    Adekunle Karim popularly known as Benzema in Adjame, Abidjan noted that he relocated to the country because he was told the fashion designing business is booming in Ivory Coast.

    According to him, he charges his customers twice what he makes in Nigeria to sew a cloth, adding that the materials he uses are far cheaper in Ivory Coast.

    Akeem Janatu who fixes faulty electronics in Abidjan also praised the government for providing electricity and water for the people of the country. According to him these two things have made life very easy for him and others living in the country.

     

  • AFCON 2023: Ivorians hit streets to celebrate last minute second round qualification

    AFCON 2023: Ivorians hit streets to celebrate last minute second round qualification

    The Ivorians stormed the streets of Abidjan, Bouake, San Perdo and other cities in the country to celebrate the last minute entry of the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire into the last 16 of the 2023 AFCON.

    The nationals of the country gathered in their hundreds at different locations late in the night and till early Thursday morning, singing and dancing over their qualifications to the round of 16.

    There were initial fears that the Elephants would exit the competition after losing scandalously to the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea and finished third with three points on the group standings.

    However, when it seems all hope was lost, the group F encounters where Morocco defeated  Zambia and Congo and Tanzania played out a goalless draw helped the Elephants secure the last spot for best third placed team in the competition.

    The Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire will now slug it out with the Teranga Lions of Cameroon in the round of 16 for a quarter-final ticket.

  • AFCON 2023: How Ivorian fans reacted after Elephants 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea (Video)

    AFCON 2023: How Ivorian fans reacted after Elephants 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea (Video)

    Angry Ivorian  fans stormed the street to protest embarrassing 4-0 loss to the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea on Monday.

    The result meant that Jean-Louis Gasset’s side on the brink of elimination from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

    It was Cote d’Ivoire’s heaviest defeat since the 5-0 annihilation at the hands of Netherlands on June 4, 2017.

    Police threw tear gas to disperse protesters who destroyed any valuable item in sight.

    The official bus of the Elephants was also destroyed by the angry protesters.

    Attempt to burn down the office of the Cote d’Ivoire Football Federation was averted by the police.

    An official statement has not been issued by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, but the organisers may take punitive measures against the hosts.

    See video below: