Côte d'Ivoire hero Copa retires
Côte d'Ivoire goalkeeper Boubacar "Copa" Barry who became a national hero when he scored the decisive penalty in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations final announced his international retirement.
The 35-year-old, who only played in the final against Ghana because first choice 'keeper Sylvain Gbohouo was injured in the semi-final, saved two spot kicks and then scored the winning penalty in an epic shootout that finished 9-8 to the Elephants, giving them their first continental triumph since 1992.
Copa, who plays for Belgian side Lokeren, and his Côte d'Ivoire team-mates, as well as French coach Herve Renard, were welcomed home as heroes on their return by millions of Ivorians who flocked to the streets in Abidjan.
All good things must come to an end. I was extremely proud to wear the jersey of my country and it wasn't just an obligation, it was an honour.Côte d'Ivoire goalkeeper Boubacar Barry
They were also given collectively €3m in bonuses by Côte d'Ivoire president Alassane Ouattara in a package that included houses for the squad and conferred with the highest national honour the Knights of the National Order.
"All good things must come to an end," Copa told Radio France International. "I was extremely proud to wear the jersey of my country and it wasn't just an obligation, it was an honour.
"Now is time to pass the flame to the younger players and there is a great new generation coming through so we have to let them develop. I think this is the best decision for me, I've been with the national team for 15 years," he added.
He won 85 caps for his country and played at three FIFA World Cups™ after beginning his club career at Abidjan club ASEC Mimosas before joining French club Rennes in 2001 and a four-year spell with Belgian club KSK Beveren.
Prior to February's final he had suffered penalty shootout heartbreak in two other Africa Cup of Nations finals -- in 2006 to Egypt and 2012 to Zambia.