Ivory Coast 1-1 Guinea (Group D):
Second half replacement, Second half replacement, Seydou Doumbia rescued a hard fighting 10 man Ivory Coast side from the jaws of an eminent defeat against Guinea with a 73rd minute strike in a group D Afcon 2015 match played on Tuesday.
Guinea had taken a shock 36th-minute lead through a Mohamed Yattara perfectly executed volleyball.
Ivory Coast suffered a blow 13 minutes after the game restart when Ex-Arsenal striker Gervinho, who had hit the bar in the first half, was dismissed by referee Mehdi Abid Charef on 58 minutes for a ‘possible slap’ on Naby Keita.
Minutes later, Ibrahima Traore’s curler off the left foot hit the cross bar to deny Guinea an opportunity of doubling the lead.
Despite lining up an arrary of world stars in Wilfried Bony (Africa’s most expensive players since his £28m move to Manchester City), plus new his club-mate Yaya Toure and Gervinho, the Elephants’ golden generation has continued to under perform where it matters most.
Guinea, who qualified to the finals at the expense of Uganda – following that 2-0 victory in Morocco, proved they have the mantle to perform at the big stage.
Reactions:
Ivory Coast coach – Herve Renard:
If it was before the game we wouldn’t be happy with this result. In the first half we weren’t fantastic but should have been in front from two chances for Gervinho. Then we lost a goal from an error of communication. We pushed forward and then Gervinho was sent off. We had to react, but even at 10 against 11 we could have gone on to win the game. We were not favourites before this group because I think Cameroon were better in qualifying. I don’t think you can underestimate Guinea. But nothing is finished.
Guinea coach Michel Dussuyer:
The sending-off of Gervinho gave us a chance to go all the way and then we got caught out in a move right through the middle. We didn’t turn the screw. A draw with the Ivory Coast remains a good result. We deserved to open the scoring and that set us on the way, and in the end we maybe just lacked a bit of experience. We’re frustrated but it is a good result against a great team for whom we have great respect.
Line Ups:
Ivory Coast
Gbohouo ,Aurier, K Touré, Bailly, Kanon, Gonzaroua Die (Tiéné – 65′ ), Tioté, Kalou (Doumbia – 65′ ), Y Touré (Doukoure – 86′ ), Gervinho, Bony
Substitutes:
Barry, Diarrassouba, Assalé, Tiéné, Doukoure, Doumbia ,Gadji-Celi Carmel Junior ,Akpa-Akpro, Diomande, Gradel, Traoré,Mandé
Guinea:
Yattara, Sankoh, Camara, Pogba, Sylla, Keita, Fofana ,Constant, Traoré,Yattara (Razzagui Camara – 71′ ), Conte
Substitutes:
Zayatte, Razzagui Camara, Landel, Sylla, Cissé, Camara, Keita, Soumah, Kamano, Diarra Camara, Paye
