Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry has expressed his belief that his penalty shootout heroics in the Africa Cup of Nations final have helped him to silence his critics.
The 35-year-old saved two penalties before converting the winning spot kick himself as the Ivorians triumphed 9-8 over Ghana in Bata.
"I have been criticised, but I am able to progress," Barry told Canal+. "I'm not big in talent nor in size, but I want to progress, I worked for the team.
"My mum suffered. Thanks to her, thank you to all Ivorians. Football allowed me to travel, there is no room for everyone; but there is room for the work. God rewarded me."
Ivory Coast had last won the trophy in 1992.
