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Author of the only goal of the match Ivory Coast–Equatorial Guinea (1-0), Max-Alain Gradel greeted in his own way the memory of his father who died a little over a week ago.
His furtive tears and the fraternal embrace of his teammates reflect all the emotion after this superb goal from Max-Alain Gradel against Equatorial Guinea. The Ivorian striker has scored the best goal since the start of the tournament, but his greatest pride is undoubtedly to have paid tribute to his deceased father while he was in preparation for the CAN.
« It was a special moment for me, underlined the former player of Toulouse (France) after the meeting. I am happy to dedicate this goal to my father and to all the Ivorians who have supported me. That’s life, there’s nothing we can do about it. We must continue to move forward and not give up. This is what my dad taught me, this is what I try to do. »
« His father accompanies him … »
The captain of the Elephants, affected by the disappearance of his dad, made a point of not abandoning his teammates a few days before the CAN, even if it means missing the funeral of the father. ” The player is great. He already saw the CAN in his heart, his head and his mind. For him, his father is there and accompanies him, had entrusted his coach Patrice Beaumelle on the eve of the match against Equatorial Guinea. It’s a test that is not easy, but he quickly evacuated it and he promises to give his all. ».
In any case, Max-Alain Gradel can always say to himself that Equatorial Guinea brings him luck; he had indeed started his “career” as a holder with the Elephants during the Equatorial Guinea-Ivory Coast quarter-final of the CAN 2012 (3-0), and had won the African Cup in 2015 on the land of his opponents of the day. A sign of fate?
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