Category: Cote d’Ivoire - Page 2

Nigeria Suffer Defeat in U17 WAFU B Final Despite Late Fightback

19Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria Suffer Defeat in U17 WAFU B Final Despite Late Fightback

Nigeria lost 3-2 to C Côte d’Ivoire in the final of the 2021 WAFU U-17 championship at the Stade Kegue in Lome, Togo on Monday. The who beat Burkina Faso to secure a place in the final and qualification for CAF U17 African cup of Nations failed to clinch the ultimate trophy. The Ivorian side who were unbeaten since the group stages bagged the first goal from a corner kick in the 15th minute. They almost doubled in the 32nd minute, but Eaglets goalkeeper Destiny Umuwahen saved a goal-bound shot from attacker Charles Likpa. The Eaglets came close to equalising in the 42nd minute, but a long-range shot from Christian Nwachukwu sailed over the bar. In the 59th minute, the Baby Elephants doubled their lead through Abdrumane Konate, who tapped in from close range. Seydou Traore...

Didier Drogba Divorces Wife After 20 Years of Marriage

15Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, News, Sports

Didier Drogba Divorces Wife After 20 Years of Marriage

Former Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire legend, Didier Drogba and his wife of 20 years, Lalla Diakate have divorced. Drogba disclosed this in a post on his official Instagram handle, noting that the announcement became important following speculation in the media. There were rumours that the football icon had separated from his wife whom he married in June 2011 in Monaco. Drogba, 42, said that making the decision to separate from his wife was a difficult but necessary decision. The couple had three children together. Drogba in the statement said his priority at this point is the protection of their children and their privacy. He wrote, “I am not used to discussing my private life, but due to speculation in the media today, I will confirm that unfortunately after 20 years together L...

U-17 WAFU Zone B: Golden Eaglets Qualify For Semi-finals

13Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, News, Nigeria, Sports

U-17 WAFU Zone B: Golden Eaglets Qualify For Semi-finals

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have secured a semi-finals qualification at the U-17 WAFU Zone B qualifiers in Lome, Togo. The Nigerian team, coached by Fatai Amoo qualified for the next round after Cote d’Ivoire beat Ghana 3-1 in their second Group B game on Tuesday. The Eaglets earlier lost 1-0 to Cote d’Ivoire in their first game before playing out a 1-1 draw with Ghana in their second match. With the results, Nigeria needed Cote d’Ivoire to beat Ghana by a wider goal margin before the Eaglets could progress to the last four. Cote d’Ivoire finished the group as winners while the Nigerian side trailed as second with one point. Nigeria advanced to the semi-finals despite having a point each with Ghana due to superior goals difference. The Eaglets scored a greater number of go...

Laurent Gbagbo Seeks to Return to Ivory Coast from Exile

5Dec

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, News

Laurent Gbagbo Seeks to Return to Ivory Coast from Exile

Former president of Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo plans to return to his home country after his passport was given back to him following his acquittal at the International Criminal Court in 2019, his lawyer disclosed. The former leader has been unable to return to Ivory Coast since his January 2019 acquittal at the Hague under the terms of his release, which required him to remain in Belgium after his passports were seized while awaiting judgment on an appeal, CGTN reports. Gbagbo’s counsel, Hahiba Toure said, “Laurent Gbagbo today received two passports, one ordinary and one diplomatic,” “He welcomes the act just taken by Ivorian authorities which, according to him, goes in the direction of appeasement.” The diplomatic passport can only be issued with the consent of Ivory Coast Pre...

Ivory Coast Court Endorses President Ouattara’s Third Term ambition Amid Violent Protests

15Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, News

Ivory Coast Court Endorses President Ouattara’s Third Term ambition Amid Violent Protests

Ivory Coast’s top court on Monday endorsed the third term bid of President Alassane Ouattara as protests turned violent in several cities. Former President Laurent Gbagbo and former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro were barred by the constitutional council from contesting in next month’s presidential poll. Only four out of the 44 candidates seeking to stand for election in the October 31 presidential election were cleared. It cleared former president Henri Konan Bedie of PDCI party, Gbagbo’s former prime minister Pascal Affi N’Guessan and Kouadio Konan Bertin. Protesters in the Abijan torched a bus after an altercation between security forces and youths in the Yopougon district. Recall that a bloody conflict broke out in Ivory Coast after Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Oua...

Ivory Coast FA Presidency: Players Refuse to Support Didier Drogba’s Election Bid

14Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, Sports

Ivory Coast FA Presidency: Players Refuse to Support Didier Drogba’s Election Bid

Former Ivory coast and Chelsea talisman, Didier Drogba’s chances of emerging the President of Ivory Coast’s Football Federation suffered a setback after players declined endorsing his candidacy for the top position. The 42-year-old is one of the three prominent candidates for the Ivorian Football Federation top job but he is yet to gain the endorsement of any of the five special interest groups necessary to get onto the ballot for the September election. Drogba expected to get support of the footballer’s union, header by erstwhile team mate Cyrille Domoraud, but the group opted to support Idriss Diallo, one of the two opposition candidates. The Association of Ivorian Footballers in a statement said, “The majority of our members decided to grant our endorsement to the list led by M...

Ivorian defender, Serge Aurier Mourns Brother Who Was Shot Dead in France

13Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, Crime, English Premiership, Security, Sports

Ivorian defender, Serge Aurier Mourns Brother Who Was Shot Dead in France

Christopher Aurier, younger brother of Ivory coast defender, Serge Aurier was shot dead in Toulouse, France by unknown shooter. This was confirmed by Serge Aurier’s London based club, Tottenham Hotspur on Monday after reports had it that Christopher was found shot in the stomach by emergency services. The identity of the shooter is unknown at the moment. Tottenham said in a statement, “The Club is deeply saddened to confirm media reports that Serge Aurier’s brother passed away in the early hours of this morning.” “Everybody at the Club sends their sincerest condolences to Serge and his family. Our thoughts are with them all.” Christopher, played for French fifth division side Rodéo Toulouse last season- after spells at Racing Club de Lens, Gueugnon, Chantilly and Belgian clu...