Coach Francois Zahoui says Ivory Coast can return home with their heads held high despite their defeat in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final.
The Elephants missed a penalty in regulation time before losing the shoot-out to Zambia after the final had ended goalless despite extra-time.
“We didn’t expect such challenging a final,” said the Ivorian.
“We go back to Abidjan with not too much shame. I think we played a good game. I congratulate Zambia.”
The Ivorians’ misery was compounded by knowing that they had gone through the entire tournament without conceding a goal.
However, it was a costly error at the other end – as captain Didier Drogba blazed a penalty over the crossbar in the 70th minute – that proved the turning point in Libreville.
The Elephants did have chances afterwards, most notably when Max Gradel dragged a shot inches wide in the dying moments of regulation time.
In the shoot-out, Premier League stars Kolo Toure and Gervinho both missed their spot-kicks to allow the Zambians to take their first title after winning 8-7 on penalties.
“We didn’t have much luck,” said Zahoui, who was looking to win only the Elephants’ second title – and first since 1992.
“We missed the penalty in normal time, then perhaps lost a bit of confidence.”
“This is a big disappointment for us.”