Ivory Coast’s hero in their long-awaited regaining of the Africa Cup of Nations last month has announced his retirement from international football.
Veteran goalkeeper Boubacar Barry saved his opposite number’s penalty in the 2015 AFCON final’s tense shoot-out and then confidently scored the last spot-kick before what would have otherwise been a second sudden-death round to cement his hero status amongst long-suffering Elephants fans.
The 35-year-old had played for more than a decade behind Ivory Coast’s so-called ‘golden generation’ of players that had flattered to deceive on so many occasions. He could be forgiven for suspecting his chance for international glory had passed with luminaries such as Didier Drogba (retired) and Emmanuel Eboue (out of favour) not in a squad that was consequently less fancied than in previous years. Add this to the fact that, on a personal level, Barry had been usurped for a starting position between the posts by the younger Sylvain Gbohouo.
On the day, Gbohouo’s injury in the semi-final meant that Barry, who plays with his nickname ‘Copa’ (for ‘Cup’) proudly but, given his team’s previous underachievement, somewhat ironically emblazoned on his goalkeeping jersey, would have what would surely be one last chance for glory.
Given these circumstances, only a writer of fables would have the protagonist go on to save two penalties and score the deciding kick.
Barry wrote on his Facebook page: “All good things must end. I decided to end my football career with Ivory Coast. I was proud to wear our jersey.”
Barry won 86 caps for the Elephants, including three FIFA World Cups – in 2006, 2010 and 2014. He also played in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final, which Ivory Coast lost on penalties to unfancied Zambia.
His retirement at a high point in his career has transformed that career into a fairy-tale earned by grim determination.
