On 19 September, 2002, a civil war had broken out in Cote D’Ivoire. This was when troops opposed to President Laurent Gbagbo attacked three cities.
For five years, the civil war lasted until there came an opportunity for football to unleash its magic.
On June 3, 2007, Cote D’Ivoire was to face Madagascar in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and Didier Drogba requested that the match be played in Bouake, a rebel stronghold.
And that was an attempt to bring Cote D’Ivoire together once again since he himself was from the South.
The said match was very successful with a 5-0 victory capped by Drogba scoring the final goal to cause celebrations across the whole country.
Drogba had then revealed to the Telegraph news outlet the interviewed him how happy he was seeing both leaders side by side for the national anthems.
And when asked who had supported him in doing so, Drogba smiled and said, “All Africans.” But, above all, I am one of them.
The stadium was filled with cheers with everyone quite happy. And that brought to an end the civil war.
From now on, all fans will receive what the Ivorian footballers promised: “We promised you that the celebration would unite the people,” added Didier Drogba.
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