Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba once again failed to help his national side win an international trophy, as he missed a crucial penalty in the final of the African cup of nations.
Didier Drogba set off to the Africa cup of nations with Ivory Coast, who are one of the favourites to lift the title. This is not the first time Ivory Coast have been the favourites to win the African cup of nations, as they have been the same for a few years now.
Many expected them to lift the trophy this time around, which could be the last major tournament for Didier Drogba internationally.
The 34-year-old striker is coming to the end of his career. Despite being acclaimed internationally for being extremely powerful and able to score important goals, Didier Drogba has not been able to achieve any great success with this international team.
He has been responsible for a few eliminations from the African cup of nations over the last few tournaments. This time around, however, he has been a major influence in Ivory Coast making it into the finals of the African cup of nations against Mali.
Ivory Coast were the massive favourites according to the best betting odds.Didier Drogba received a great opportunity to put his side ahead in the finals against Zambia. However, he missed the 70th minute penalty.
Zambia later held on in the match to take it into the penalties. Astonishingly, the underdogs Zambia managed to stun Ivory Coast by winning the match in the penalty shootout.
Hence, Didier Drogba has to wait and watch another year in order to see his international team lift a major trophy like the African cup of Nations.
The African cup of nations, which is a biannual tournament, is going to be held next year only for the first time in successive years, ahead of a new schedule that works around the World Cup.