2015 AFCON final defeat my worst feeling ever - Christian Atsu

Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu says he's still having nightmares of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals defeat to Ivory Coast.

Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry saved and scored the crucial spot-kicks that handed Ivory Coast a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout win over Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations final after the Stars had exceeded all expectations by reaching the final.

Ghana had the better chances in regulation time, hitting the woodwork twice with Christian Atsu‘s 25-yard shot and André Ayew’s effort from a tight angle.

It ended 0-0 after 120 minutes and the match inevitably went to penalties.

The Black Stars blew a two-goal lead in the penalty shootouts to miss another unique opportunity of ending an over three-decade wait for an African title.

“It was my worst feeling ever, I felt that we had already won the 2015 AFCON when we had a two-goal lead in the shootout. I thought it was impossible for us professionals players not to get the job done at that point. So I was shocked when we bottled it," he said in an interview with FootballMadeInGhana.com.

The pacy winger was instrumental for Ghana during the 2015 edition, where he won the Player of the Tournament and Goal of the Tournament award