Drogba overcomes penalty miss to inspire ICoast

By Mark Walsh

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, Feb. 4 2012 4:21 p.m. MST

Ivory Coast's captain Didier Drogba, left, and Gervinho celebrate after Drogba scored against Equatorial Guinea in their African Cup of Nations quarter-final match at Malabo Stadium in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012.

Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press

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Summary

Didier Drogba's eyes bulged and his fists punched the air as he celebrated his opening goal in Ivory Coast's 3-0 win against Equatorial Guinea in the African Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea — Didier Drogba's eyes bulged and his fists punched the air as he celebrated his opening goal in Ivory Coast's 3-0 win against Equatorial Guinea in the African Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.

Just seven minutes earlier, Drogba had seen his penalty saved by Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Emanuel-Danilo Clementino.

Drogba's ability to bounce back from disappointment could be a crucial source of inspiration as Ivory Coast attempts to finally live up to its billing as favorite and claim a first African Cup since 1992.

Drogba, who also missed in Ivory Coast's penalty shootout loss in the 2006 final to Egypt, says he was "lucky."

Drogba says his team "showed character and a great attitude" to bounce back from the miss and secure its semifinal place.

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