On June 4th, the Elephants walked into the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes and defeated their opponents on their own soil. For most people, this game reads as an unexpected victory, but for those who carry Ivorian blood, this end result meant so much more.

Côte d’Ivoire was a French colony until 1960, and it might sound like it was centuries ago, but that’s our grandparents’ generation. This freedom still feels new, and we as Ivorians are taking steps to actively obtain autonomy, to stand on our own without reins holding us back. The power dynamics between the two teams existed way before the 4th of June, and that’s why it mattered so much. The independence Ivorians gained shifted politics, economics, culture, and now football.

So when Guéla Doué equalised in the 53rd minute, and Amad Diallo sealed the deal in the 84th, on French territory, in a stadium full of 33,000 people, there was this sense of finally being free.

Finally, being free to compete in a space where we can confront our colonisers and beat them fair and square. It was symbolic in ways that can’t truly be depicted, because it’s an innate feeling. To have the power to face your opponents who historically have had access to resources you’d been drained of is impactful.

And the ironic part about Guéla Doué scoring that groundbreaking goal against France is the fact that he essentially scored against his brother Désiré Doué, who plays for France but was unfortunately on the bench after competing for PSG in the Champions League.The Doué family are divided by two flags, two identities, two lineages with opposing historical histories. This dynamic perfectly captures the complexities of the Black European experience. I often feel conflicted when it comes to supporting England as someone who is British with Ivorian heritage. I look to players like Marc Guéhi and imagine how difficult it must have been, battling with the conflicting themes of representation. Do you represent your blood or your cultural attachment?

I personally feel this game single-handedly created a sense of vindication. Ivory Coast are AFCON champions, and winning against an established team like France isn’t out of reach for us, and this game proves that. The win wasn’t pure luck; it was pure capability and tenacity. This is the same team that bounced back from almost being eliminated at the AFCON tournament to inevitably go all the way and winning on home soil. I’m excited for the World Cup to commence, because it will only bring more history-defining moments. If you’re not paying attention to the Elephants this summer, you’re going to wish you had.