Four years after quitting international football, former Ivory Coast goalkeeper Copa Barry has retired from football, at the age of 39.
Barry, who started his career as a midfielder, was converted to a shoot-stopper at the Abidjan-based Mimosifcom Academy from where he moved to Europe, essentially plying his trade in Belgium at Beveren and Lokeren between 2003 and 2017.
He spent 15 years with the Elephants, from 2000 to 2015, notably winning the Africa Cup of Nations held in Equatorial Guinea.
It was the highlight of his career. Initially ignored for Sylvain Gbohouo early in the tournament, Barry was made to play the AFCON final against Ghana following injury to the first choice goalkeeper.
With the game ending goalless after extra time, he stopped two penalty kicks and scored the decisive one to hand Ivory Coast its second continental title.
“This is the end of my career as a goalkeeper after 22 years. I would be moving on to goalkeeping coach at l’OH Louvain (Belgium D2). I would like to thank all who supported, cheered and prayed for me. God bless you all,” Barry said in statement.
In fact since 2017, he has been working as a goalkeeping coach at OH Louvain and playing for the team as well.
