Ivory Coast players celebrate winning AFCON 2015. | image source: dailymail.co.uk
Ivory Coast's AFCON win has not only generate buzz and excitement in their fan bases in Africa but also cricket-mad Pakistan.
Following their 9-8 penalty shootout win over Ghana on Sunday to claim their second AFCON win, the Ivorians have given Pakistani Cricket fans reason to believe that their nation will win this year's cricket World Cup which will be held in Australia and New Zealand from 14th February to 29th March.
The reason for that high level of optimism among the Pakistani is that Ivory Coast's first AFCON win in 1992 coincided with the clinching of their first Cricket World title. Like in 2015, Ivory Coast's 1992 success came after a penalty shootout win over Ghana and with that year's Cricket World Cup also having taken place in Australia and New Zealand, Pakistanis believe will also repeat itself in their favour.
Pakistan are in Group B with South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, Ireland and India. Their first match will be against rivals India on February 15 at the Adelaide Oval.
Below is a tweet by a Pakistani Cricket fan proclaiming optimism his nation's "imminent" world cup win.
1992- Ivory Coast won the AFCON on pens...Pak won CWC 2015 - Ivory Coast won the AFCON on pens..
— Rishi Nayyar (@djrishi1458)