Ivorians happy to watch national team play in Bouake after 9 years

It was a great steps towards consolidating peace after the match pitting the elephants of Ivory Coast against the Gabonese national squad at the Bouake stadium which has not held matches for a long time due to crisis in the country.

The match played on Saturday June 4, was won by the elephants by two goals to one.

Ivorian fans had spent about 9 years without watching an encounter at the Bouake stadium which was renamed stadium of peace after the elephants played against Madagascar in 2007 during a period of political tension.

Since 2007, we have not seen the elephants play in Bouake. We were anxious to see them play that is why we rushed to pay the tickets.

Jubilant crowds were overwhelmed with joy as they once more had the opportunity to watch their squad.

Impressive turn out in Bouake. Ivory Coast need to play more games there, Le Félicia hasn't been boisterous lately. pic.twitter.com/1mWzwKnGHT

— SandalsForGoalposts (@Sandal4Goalpost) June 4, 2016

“Since 2007, we have not seen the elephants play in Bouake. We were anxious to see them play that is why we rushed to pay the tickets,” a supporter said.

The elephants received a warm welcome at Bouake as supporters kept feasting for long even after the match was over.

The elephants will play against Sierra Leone in a 2017 Africa Nations Cup qualifier scheduled for September.

Photo Credit: SandalsForGoalposts ‏@Sandal4Goalpost

News Agencies