Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle said defender Eric Bailly was “very down” after his penalty was saved in their last 16 shoot-out defeat by Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Manchester United man saw his effort tipped on to the bar, and the Elephants were knocked out 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 draw.
“He was crying and it was very hard,” Beaumelle told BBC Sport Africa.
“I hugged him and I just said ‘You are a big champion’.”
Centre-back Bailly had returned to the Ivory Coast side in Douala after suffering a head injury in their second group match.
The 27-year-old sported a rugby scrum cap for protection and impressed at the back over 120 minutes, but substitute Egypt keeper Gabaski pulled off a crucial save to deny Bailly from 12 yards.
Afterwards, Beaumelle was full of praise for Bailly’s attitude.
“What he has done during the competition, he has shown that he is a big champion,” the Frenchman added.
“All the big champions miss penalties, I have so many examples.
“I think the goalkeeper did well. He saved two or three chances in extra-time and saved the penalty from Eric.
“You know, when you lose on penalties you have nothing else to say. I am very sad for the boys because my feeling was we could go very far in this competition.”
