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Cote D'Ivoire defeat Gabon to reach quarter final

Sunday 24 January 2016

Cote D’Ivoire sealed Gabon’s fate beating them and knocking them out 4 -1 in an entertaining Grougame in the ongoing African Nations Championship played at the Gabon at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday afternoon. The Elephants took the lead in the 19th minute after a beautiful Essis Aka's long- range strike that found the bottom corner of the net beating Gabonese keeper Yves Moto who remained sprawled on the ground well beaten. Gabon equalized in 51st minute when they caught the Ivory Coast defence napping from a sublime Knox Younga’s corner kick that was perfectly headed into the net by Franck Obambou past a hapless keeper Badra Ali Sangare to put the scores at 1-1.

Cote D’Ivoire remained relentless despite the setback and reclaimed the lead in the 65th minute with Djedje Guiza picking up the ball into the box and firing a powerful shot which bursts through the hands of the keeper Yves Moto bouncing over the goal line for another goal as the scores stood at 2-1. The rampaging Elephants were not finished yet in the 77th minute they wrapped with substitute Koffi Boua scoring a fine solo goal side stepping two defenders to make it 3-1 in their favour inturn knocking out Gabon and inturn qualifying for the quarterfinal together with hosts Rwanda.

In the 84th minute Cote D’Ivore put matters beyond Gabon extended their deserved lead to four goals when Ble Treika made it 4-1 with a beautiful first touch to go past a defender before beating the 'keepe rYves Moto with a low shot giving Ivory Coast the convincing win . Earlier on heavy rains pounded the artificial surface as players failed to adjust accordingly due to the slippery turf as Gabon coach made tactical substitutions bringing on Mario Mandrault who made for Allen Nono and Aaron Boupendza who was replaced by Lionel Yackouya. In the other Group A match Rwanda fell 4-1 to Morroco but it was a late perfomance by the Atlas Lions who were whoever knocked out as Rwanda and Cote D'Ivoire qualifed for the quarterfinal. 52' -

That goal doesn't yet change the picture in regards to who will advance: a draw is still enough for Ivory Coast, as even if Morocco win the other game (and the Atlas Lions lead Rwanda 4-1), the Elephants will still finish ahead of them due to a better head- to-head record.

Ivory Coast: Badra Ali Sangare, Soualio Ouattara, Mahran Goua, Cheick Comara, Soualiho Coulibaly, Yace Okpekon, Yao N’guessan, Essis Aka, Inza Diabate, Krahire Zakri, Djedje Guiza

Gabon: Yves Moto, Knox Younga, Edmond Mouele, Pongui Kombo, Prince Ongolo, Stevy Nzambe, Franck Obambou, Yann Mangonda, Mario Mandrault, Aaron Boupendza, Cedric Biyoghe

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