Captain Didier Drogba said the chances of he and a golden generation of Ivory Coast players ever lifting the African Nations Cup had gone for good after a 2-1 quaterfinal defeat by Nigeria on Sunday.
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'' It's over '', the 34-year-old stricker, who missed a penalty in normal time in last year's final shootout lost to Zambia, quietly said.
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The trophy has eluded the country since 1992 - the Elephants have twice been runners-up in the last four editions, were semifinalists in 2008 and were knocked out in the last eight in 2010.
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For a fifth successive tournament, the Elephants were tipped to win the title with a squad boasting such talents as Drogba, Yaya Toure and Solomon Kalou.
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'' We now look ahead to the World Cup, with or without me '', Drogba added.