Divine intervention? Ivorians say God is on their team’s side after ‘miracles’ at Africa Cup

CIARÁN FAHEY

Ivory Coast’s unlikely — some would say miraculous — progression to the Africa Cup of Nations final has convinced locals that God is on their side.

The host nation has survived several close shaves with elimination thanks to fortune with results in other games and scarcely believable comebacks.

Late goals in remarkable wins in the knockout round against defending champion Senegal, then Mali, have no other explanation for devout locals other than being the will of God. They’re sure now he will guide Ivory Coast to its third Africa Cup title.

“Inshallah, God will do it, no doubt,” Simion Diakité told The Associated Press. “It’s a miracle of God.”

Sébastien Haller, cured after recovering from an ankle injury, fired the team into the final with a 1-0 win over Congo on Wednesday.

At the Chapelle de l’externat Saint Paul for a service hours before the match, many worshippers