One more step for Cote d’Ivoire’s long-awaited Afcon miracle

Cote d’Ivoire are yet to let down pundits and fans at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Reaching the final confirmed the predictions of many analysts, but the star-studded outfit seem to be more conscious of their destination than those watching and judging them.

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“Ninety minutes more,” the team’s captain, Didier Drogba, whispered to an Ivorian journalist in the mixed zone after their 1-0 win over Mali on Wednesday. “Ninety minutes more for what?” was the retort. With a self-satisfied smirk, the Chelsea forward shook his head slowly and left without responding.

Ninety minutes more to lift an Africa Cup of Nations trophy, at last. Ninety minutes more for Cote d’Ivoire’s best generation of footballers to top off their brilliance, labour, endurance and hope with a crown – their first. Drogba’s not-so-subtle message can’t be depicted otherwise.

GERVINHO	KOLO TOURE	YAYA TOURE	SEYDOU DOUMBIA

The absence of big guns in the form of Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa in this edition has long been regarded as a good omen for the Ivorians’ ultimate success at the competition, but the players themselves had shrugged off the status of being the major favourite, which they said had caused previous downfalls.

Many lessons have certainly been learnt and, to make it evident, the Elephants began their campaign slow and steady, with much caution and maturity. Winning modestly with minimal concession was coach Francois Zahoui’s creed for the showpiece, and his troop has imbibed and applied, apparently.

Our objective for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations is winning the title. It will be unthinkable for a team like ours to fail again an inch away from final glory - Coach Francois Zahoui

That mentality, which has functioned perfectly on this stage, will likely remain their blueprint against the Chipolopolo of Zambia, who surprisingly knocked out Cote d’Ivoire’s west African neighbours and rivals Ghana, whom a number of pundits had predicted to face the Ivorians in the final.

However, Drogba and his determined team-mates, while preserving their confidence, have elevated the Zambians in their minds so as not to underestimate them, whilst adopting the attitude of a group about to perform its swansong.