A 1-1 draw against Sierra Leone was enough to send Ivory Coast to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals on Saturday night.
The group I encounter was played at the Stade Bouake in Bouake on Saturday night. Group I leaders Ivory Coast were targeting either a draw or win to qualify.
The Elephants did most of the attacking in the opening stages of the group and Gervinho's good shot was blocked in the Leone Stars box eight minutes into the game.
Sierra Leone star David Simbo received the first yellow card of the game in the 18th minute as the Ivorians continued to launch attacks.
On the half-hour mark, the visitors launched a rare attack, but Mohamed Kamara's shot was well-blocked inside the Ivory Coast box.
The deadlock was finally broken five minutes later by Kodja Adjo who beat Sierra Leone goalkeeper Solomon Zombo Morris to make it 1-0 to Ivory Coast.
The score was 1-0 to the home side as they managed to contain the Leone Stars until the match referee blew the half-time whistle.
Goal scorer Kodjo dribbled past his marker four minutes after the restart, but the Ivory Coast forward placed his shot wide of the target.
In the 65th minute, Mohamed Bangura placed his shot just over the Ivory Coast goal-posts as Sierra Leone began to press the home side.
They managed to level matters two minutes later when Kei Kamara scored with a great header from Mohamed Kamara's free-kick - making it 1-1.
Ivory Coast head coach Michel Dussuyer responded by introducing Ismael Diomande for another midfielder Jean-Michael Seri in the 76th minute
Gervinho had a chance to snatch a late winner for Ivory Coast seven minutes later, but he placed his shot wide of the target from inside the Sierra Leone box.
Sierra Leone launched late attacks, but Ivorry Coast stood firm at the back and ultimately, the two sides drew 1-1 on the night.
Ivory Coast (1) 1 (Adjo 35')
Sierra Leone (0) 1 (K.Kamara 67')
Ivory Coast XI: Gbohouo, Goua, Kanon, Bailly, Kessie, Jean-Michel (Diomande 76'), Yao Serge, Kalou (Gradel 69'), Adama, Adjo, Yao Kouassi
Sierra Leone XI: Zombo, Dunia, Sesay, Bangura, Simbo, Kamara, Sankoh, Quee (Fofanah 92'), Woobay (Davies 79'), Kamara, Bangura
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário