In a thrilling display of soccer prowess, Côte d'Ivoire and Qatar emerged as victorious hosts in the renowned Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and Asian Cup tournaments, respectively. The jubilant scenes at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan and Lusail Stadium in Qatar symbolized the triumph of these teams on home soil.
Côte d'Ivoire's path to victory in the AFCON was strewn with challenges. The team faced an early setback with a devastating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea in the group stage. This defeat prompted the Elephants to make a coaching change, replacing Jean-Louis Gasset with assistant coach Emerse Fae. Determined to make a comeback, Côte d'Ivoire faced favorites Senegal in the knockout stage, winning in a tense penalty shootout. The team continued their fight for the trophy, securing a dramatic last-minute goal against Mali to avoid elimination in the quarterfinals.
At the heart of Côte d'Ivoire's remarkable journey was Sebastien Haller, the Borussia Dortmund striker who overcame cancer and battled through an ankle injury to play in the tournament. Haller's heroics shone through as he scored the only goal in the semi-final and delivered the winning goal in the final against Nigeria. The 2-1 victory secured Côte d'Ivoire's third AFCON title to the delight of their passionate fans.
In the parallel universe of the Asian Cup, Qatar showcased their dominance as they secured their second consecutive victory in the tournament. The dazzling performance of Akram Afif, who scored a hat-trick—all from penalties—in a 3-1 win against Jordan, sealed Qatar's triumph. The Qatari team celebrated their achievement in front of a roaring crowd of over 85,000 supporters at Lusail Stadium.
Remarkably, this double success for the host nations marked the first time in over four decades that both the AFCON and Asian Cup were won by their respective hosts. The last occurrence was in 1980 when Nigeria and Kuwait triumphed.
The advantage of playing on home turf cannot be underestimated. In Africa, history has shown that the host nation tends to fare well, with 12 out of 34 AFCON tournaments being won by the hosts. However, recent editions have seen the hosts struggle to reach the final, making Côte d'Ivoire's victory even more remarkable.
Similarly, the hosts of the Asian Cup have a strong track record, with eight out of 18 tournaments being won by either the host nation, Saudi Arabia, or Japan. The climate, seasons, and time differences play a significant role in determining the outcome of these tournaments. The hosts' familiarity with these factors, coupled with packed stadiums filled with passionate supporters, often works in their favor.
It is worth noting that the tournament's format and the luck of the draw can also influence the outcome. Qatar enjoyed an advantageous layout in the Asian Cup, which included being seeded and facing relatively lower-ranked teams. However, their triumph should not be diminished by these circumstances, as they displayed skill and determination throughout the tournament.
Looking ahead, future tournaments will see a shift in expectations as AFCON 2025 will be held in Morocco, a powerhouse in African soccer, while the 2027 Asian Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia, another formidable team in the continent. In these upcoming events, the hosts may very well emerge as strong contenders for the trophy.
The 2023 AFCON and the Asian Cup in Qatar demonstrated the power and significance of hosting such prestigious tournaments. These victories showcased the passion, skill, and resilience of Côte d'Ivoire and Qatar, leaving a lasting mark on the soccer world.
