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Photo: Ex-Leeds star Max Gradel celebrates winning Africa Cup of Nations on Twitter3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Olly Dawes
2 hours ago
Former Leeds winger Max Gradel celebrated Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations final win.
Ivory Coast ended their 23 year wait for the Africa Cup of Nations title with a dramatic win over Ghana in Sunday's final.
After 120 minutes without a goal, goalkeeper Boubacar Barry converted the winning spot kick in the penalty shoot out, handing manager Herve Renard his second Africa Cup of Nations title in three years having won the competition with Zambia back in 2012.
'The Elephants' will be deemed as worthy winners despite stumbling early on in the tournament - with former Leeds star Max Gradel playing a key role.
Gradel, 27, hit a late equaliser against Mali in the group stage, before hitting the winning goal against Cameroon just days later in a 1-0 victory.The winger was a vital figure in Ivory Coast's 3-4-3 system, and again proved why he was so loved during his time at Elland Road until his departure in August 2011.
The Saint-Etienne ace took to Twitter after the win over Ghana, posting a picture of himself celebrating with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy alongside new Manchester City signing Wilfried Bony, as seen above.
The celebrations in Ivory Coast will continue for some time yet, with a public holiday granted today in the West African nation - and Gradel played a huge part in their jubilation.