Ivory Coast, who yet again failed to fulfil their favourite's tag at the Africa Cup of Nations, head back to Abidjan laden down with disappointment, coach Francois Zahoui said.

The top team on the continent were defeated by Zambia 8-7 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in Sunday's final to revive memories of their 2006 penalty shoot-out defeat to Egypt in Cairo.

Ivory Coast players react with disappointement
after losing a penalty during the African Cup of
Nations final football match between Zambia,
at the Stade de l'Amitie in Libreville. Pic/AFP.

The Elephants had come to the 2012 edition with high hopes of atoning for further failures in 2008 and 2010.