Cote d’voire became the first team to qualify for the quarter finals of the 2013 of the Africa Nations Cup after beating Tunisia 3-0 in their second match of group D at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg.
Gervinho opened the scoring in the first half before late goals from Yaya Toure and Didier Ya Konan added to a score line that was perhaps harsh on the Eagles of Carthage, though the West Africans were certainly worthy of all three points.
Cote d’Ivoire took charge of the game from the early minutes and proceeded to create several half chances. Their first clear opportunities arrived in the 19th and 20th minutes, but Salomon Kalou and Lacina Traore missed out.
However, just a minute later, Gervinho put the team in orange ahead, exchanging passes with Traore before sending a curling shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia and into the back of the net.
Ten minutes after recess, Cote d’Ivoire thought they when Kalou fired home from Gervinho’s pull-back from the by-line, but the Arsenal attacker had been flagged offside.
Tunisia brought on both Oussama Darragi and Hamdi Harbaoui within 12 minutes of the restart, but it was the Elephants who remained the predominant attacking force in the match.
The arrival of Didier Drogba in the 68th minute added an extra impetus to the West Africans’ attack but they still had to wait until the 87th minute to kill off the game as a contest as Yaya Toure fired home a long range screamer to double their advantage.
In the 90th minute substitute Didier Ya Konan steered home a low shot to make it 3-0 after an assist by Man of the Match Gervinho.
It was the Elephants second victory in the group after beating Togo 2-1 in their opening game and now qualifies with a game against Algeria to spare while Carthage eagles must beat Togo in their last game if they are to advance to the next stage.
Algeria becomes the first team to exit the competition after losing their two games. The Fennecs lost 1-0 to Tunisia.