Ivory Coast’s performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was truly remarkable, culminating in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final, held on their home soil. This victory marked les Eléphants de Côte d’Ivoire’s third AFCON title, a significant achievement for the nation. Throughout the tournament, Ivory Coast showed resilience and skill, especially notable given the challenges they faced, including a coaching change mid-tournament and overcoming a difficult group stage.
Sebastien Haller, who returned to football after battling cancer, played a crucial role, scoring the late winning goal in the final. His performance, along with key contributions from Franck Kessie and Simon Adingra, was instrumental in securing the championship. The win was particularly emotional for the Ivorian team and their supporters, celebrating their victory extensively, with the President declaring a national holiday in honor of their triumph.
The iconic run serves as the captivating focus of a new documentary titled Il Faut Un Village (It Takes A Village) directed by Nigerian visual artist Stephen Tayo and produced by Paris-based Zhedy Lena Nuentsa. Narrated by designer Jean Servais Somian, the project transcends the realm of sports to explore the profound transformation within the country, delving into the human experience through the riveting world of athletics.
After enduring over a decade of civil unrest, the nation’s victorious AFCON run becomes a powerful symbol of renewal and unity. Il Faut Un Village captures the collective joy and resilient spirit of the Ivorian people, illustrating how their love for football has been a pivotal force in healing and bringing the nation together. Through intimate portraits of fans, players, and local communities, the film tells a poignant story of hardship and triumph, portraying the unifying power of football that echoes far beyond the pitch.
While chronicling the emotional highs and strategic intricacies of a tournament that saw the Ivorian team, against all odds, ascend to the pinnacle of African football for the third time in their history– even after a devastating defeat against Equatorial Guinea that made everyone count them out– The Lagos-based creative, who is known for telling authentic stories of everyday life in West Africa through his camera, also concurrently explores the country’s burgeoning creative scene via a colorful photo series shot in the M’pouto village located in Abidjan, the largest city and the former capital of the Ivory Coast.
With exclusive testimonials and insights, the unreleased documentary delves into the resilience and unity that propelled the team forward amidst challenges including a crucial mid-tournament coaching change and Haller’s inspiring return from chemotherapy. But the film not only captures the thrilling on-field action but also the profound impact of the victory on the Ivorian people and the vibrant celebrations that followed, reflecting a nation’s passion for football and the power of sports to unite and uplift. Through this lens, Tayo proves that indeed, il faut un village to lift a country to its feet, uniting it with hope, pride, and perseverance.
