For the second time in 5 years, Ghana’s hopes of lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy have been dashed despite coming so close to it.
After 120 minutes of football, the two teams settled for the penalty shootout after which Cote D’Ivoire won 9-8.
This is the second time the Ivorians have denied Ghana the coveted trophy, after they beat them to it in 1992, winning that final on penalties 11-10.
Ghana, who remain on four AFCON wins, last lost the final in 2010 when they were beaten 1-0 by seven-time winners Egypt.
What the statistics said before the final
How did Ghana reach the final?
Senegal 2 – 1 Ghana
Ghana 1 – 0 Algeria
South Africa 1 – 2 Ghana
Ghana 3 – 0 Guinea
Equatorial Guinea 0 – 3
How Ivory Coast won the AFCON
Ivory Coast 1-1 Guinea
Mali 1-1 Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast 1-0 Cameroon
Ivory Coast 3-1 Algeria
Ivory Coast 3-1 DR Congo
Ivory Coast 0-0 Ghana (Ivorians win 9-8 on penalties)
By: Nana Boakye-Yiadom and Edwin Kwakofi