Qatar and Côte D’Ivoire Dominate AFCON and Asian Cup

The cheers of more than 50,000 enthusiastic fans filled the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan as forward Sebastien Haller scored the second goal for Côte d’Ivoire in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final. Borussia Dortmund striker Haller’s winning goal led the team to a 2-1 victory over Nigeria, making it their third AFCON trophy win. The triumphant moment took place right in front of their home fans.

A day before this epic victory, another team, Qatar, secured their second consecutive Asian Cup title in front of 85,000 supporters in Qatar. The hat-trick hero, Akram Afif, ensured a 3-1 victory for Qatar over underdogs Jordan, although all three of his goals came from penalties.

Interestingly, both African and Asian host countries emerged victorious, marking the first instance since Nigeria and Kuwait’s wins back in 1980. While neither Qatar nor Côte d’Ivoire were initially viewed as the favorites, their home advantage became a key factor in their success.

The road to victory was not easy for Côte d’Ivoire. A challenging group stage and a 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea led to the dismissal of their head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset. The team’s assistant coach, Emerse Fae, took over and steered them to success.

Sebastien Haller, the goal-scoring hero, fought his way back to the top after returning from cancer treatment and overcoming an ankle injury. His remarkable journey culminated in scoring the winning goal in the final match.

Historically, host countries in Asia have been more successful, winning eight of the 18 Asian Cup tournaments. The influence of climatic factors, seasons, and time differences provides an advantage to the host teams, as seen in the recent tournaments in Asia and Africa.

The tournament layout played a significant role in both Qatar and Côte d’Ivoire’s successes. Seeding of the host teams and the 24-team format influenced the favorable matchups, giving the hosts an easier path to the finals.

Looking ahead, the tide may turn for the hosts in future tournaments, with powerhouse teams such as Morocco and Saudi Arabia set to host the AFCON 2025 and the 2027 Asian Cup, respectively.

Both Côte d’Ivoire and Qatar’s triumphs in their home countries have left an indelible mark in the annals of football history. Their victories shine as a testament to the unwavering support of their home fans and the resilience of the players. It’s a momentous achievement that brings pride to their nations.

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