Cote D’Ivoire have lost the services of a long time servant and experienced defender, Kolo Toure, following the Liverpool player’s decision to retire from the Ivorian national team after their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory in Equatorial Guinea.

The Elephants finally put their AFCON demons to rest after defeating an unlucky Ghana side 9-8 in a tense penalty shootout, taking home the title that has eluded the famed golden generation for so long.

In the wake of this victory, the older brother of national team captain Yaya Toure has decided to hang up his international boots, and go out on a high note.

Following his debut for Cote D’Ivoire in 2000, Toure became an important element of a very strong national team that travelled to two FIFA World Cup’s with great expectations on their shoulders.

The physical defender had previously mentioned that he would likely retire following the Nations Cup, and Toure followed up on his promise when he told TV station RTI, “It is with great emotion that I inform you that it is time to say goodbye.”

“My goal was to win the Africa Cup of Nations and I must admit that it was a very difficult decision to make.

“I do love my country and especially love football, but at some point, there comes a time to stop,” he added.

Toure’s final act as an Ivorian player with the national team was to successfully despatch his penalty during the shootout, playing his part in helping the Elephants to their second ever AFCON title and the first of this particular generation.