CHAN 2016: Third Place Playoff
HT: Guinea 0-2 Cote d’Ivoire
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The quest for the third best team at the 4th edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) between Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea still has 45 or so minutes left.
Cote d’Ivoire returns to dressing rooms with a comfortable two goal cushion over Guinea after the close of opening half at Amahoro National Stadium in the heart of the Rwandan capital, Kigali.
Both sides are battling for third place and bronze medals ahead of the highly anticipated final (between DR Congo and Mali).
The Ivorians started the second last fixture on a strong footing, winning a corner inside the first 10 seconds.
By the third minute of the game, Guinea also had an attempt at goal through Jean Mouste whose shot from about 25 yard buzzed wide of goal.
In the 11th minute, Ivorian left winger, Inza Diabate perfectly dribbled past a forest of legs on the left flank but indecisiveness cost the team dearest where it mattered most.
Association Sportive Tanda diminutive winger, Hemann Junior Djobo has been a busy on the right flank, often causing a few provocations for Guinea left back, Alseny Camara.
By the 20th minute, Guinea forced two consecutive corner kicks but the well positioned Ivorian defence held on.
Three minutes later, a Guinea free-kick from Ibrahima Sory Sankhon narrowly went wide from about 35 yard from goal.
Three minutes to the half hour mark, Guinea had a chance take the lead through Sankhon via penalty kick, but he was stopped by the dreadlocked goalkeeper Abdoul Karim Cisse, who started ahead of Ali Badra Sangare.
The first goal arrived in the 31st minute when goalkeeper Abdoul Aziz Keita had a seemingly weak back pass miscontrolled and rolled into the back of the net.
Midfielder, Gbagnon Badie doubled the advantage with the second. A calm text book finish after Atcho’s square ball.
There has been only one change of the game so far. Guinea coach, Mohamed Kanfory Bangoura withdrawing Sory Sankhon for Kile Bongura.
There is still plenty of time to play for in the next 45 minutes that will surely determine who finishes third.
The match is being handled by Rwandese FIFA referee, Hudu Munyemana.
Team Line Ups:
Guinea XI: Abdoul Aziz Keita (G.K), Alseny Bangoura, Ibrahima Sory Sankhon, Ibrahma Sory Soumah, Abdulaye Samake, Aboubacar Sylla, Alseny Camara, Jean Mouste, Daouda Camara, Mohamed Youla, Aboubacar Leo Camara
First Half Change: Aboubacar Kile Bougoura Out, Ibrahima Sory Bangoura On
Subs: Abdoulaye Kante (G.K), Nouhan Conde (G.K), Mohamed Thiam, Ibrahima Sory Bangoura,Thierno Camara, Boniface Haba, Aboubacar Mouctar Sylla, Moussa Diawara, Alseny Camara, Aboubacar Kile Bangoura, Issiaga Camara, Ibrahima Conde
Cote D’Ivoire XI: Abdoul Karim Cisse (G.K), Willie Anderson Britto, Essis Baudelaire Fulgence Aka, Hemann Junior Djobo Atcho, Gbagnon Badie, Adama Kangoute, Koffi Davy Mahinde Boua, Yao Serge N’guessan, Inza Diabate, Cheick Ibrahim Comara, Soualiho Coulibaly
Subs: Drissa Bamba (G.K), Marcelin Koffi, Mahan Marc Goua, Soualio Dabila Ouattara, Krahire Yannick Zakri, Yace Marius Gregoire Okpekon, Djedje Guiza, Diallo Kouame Romuald Cedric Koussi, Badra Ali Sangare (G.K), Dominique Andreson Mevy, Wasswaly Eric Michel Toh, Nilmar Treika Mondesir Ble
Match Officials:
Center Referee: Hudu Munyemana (Rwanda)
1st Assistant: Theophile Vinga (Gabon)
2nd Assistant: Mokrane Gourari (Algeria)
Reserve Referee: Thierry Nkurunziza (Burundi)
Commissioner: Jean Michel Mbono (Congo), General Coordinator: Paul Bassey (Nigeria)