ABIDJAN, June 26– Ivorians erupted in celebration across Abidjan on Thursday night after Cote d’Ivoire reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history.
At Philadelphia Stadium in the United States, Nicolas Pepe scored twice in a 2-0 victory over Curacao as the Elephants secured second place in Group E behind Germany and advanced to the round of 32.
The achievement, coming in the country’s fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, sparked jubilant celebrations in several neighborhoods across Abidjan. In Yopougon, fireworks, vuvuzelas, car horns and motorcycle stunts filled the streets as groups of enthusiastic young fans celebrated late into the night.
“We won! We won! We’re through to the round of 32!” they chanted. The historic qualification also generated widespread excitement on social media, where Ivorians showered the national team with praise.
“A day of joy, genuine joy. A wonderful victory, and congratulations to the Elephants on this historic qualification,” one supporter wrote on Facebook. “Historic! They did it! The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire have secured our country’s first-ever qualification for the knockout stage of a World Cup.
This is a day that will go down in history,” another internet user posted. Buoyed by the Elephants’ success, many Ivorians are now dreaming of an even deeper run in the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“We can be proud of this team, which is writing a new chapter in our country’s football history on the international stage,” said Marcel Aka, a retired police officer. “For me, this historic qualification is more than just a result. It is a generation leaving its mark on history,” he said.
“I believe they can go all the way and win the tournament,” he added before shouting, “Go Elephants!” Cote d’Ivoire will face either France or Norway in the round of 32. “No matter which team we face in the next round, we will beat them. We have the quality and the tactics,” said Pierre Tanoh, a civil servant.
Patriotic and full of confidence, he believes the Elephants can continue their remarkable run all the way to the final. “My optimism is not exaggerated. Just wait and see — Cote d’Ivoire will win the World Cup this year,” he declared. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
