Ivory Coast
Côte d’Ivoire have become the first team to reach the quarter finals in the Africa Cup of Nations. They defeated Ghana 3-1 on Friday.
The Elephants were reduced to 10-men after defender Emmanuel Eboue was red-carded for a tackle from behind on Opoku Agyemang. The other two teams in the Group B – Burkina Faso and Ghana will clash Tuesday to decide the second qualifier from the Group. Togo, the 4th country from the group, withdrew from the tournament after their bus was attacked by terrorists.
Kouassi Yao put the Ivorians ahead midway through the first half. He scored from a direct free-kick. Ghana pulled one back during stoppage-time through an Asamoah Gyan penalty.
Ivory Coast Captain – Drogba commented:
“We’re all relieved. We were consistent from the start. Even if we had difficulties we succeeded in remaining solid and performing the counter attacks.”
Ghana started with a second rate team with almost eight of the first-choice players missing. Defenders John Pantsil and John Mensah, midfielders Anthony Annan, Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, Laryea Kingson and Sulley Muntari and striker Asamoah Gyan.
Loading ...