hree-Star Elephants trample on Carthage Eagles
Courtesy of afcononline.com
Cote d’Ivoire cleared their path to a place at the quarter final of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-0 thrashing of Tunisia in their Group D encounter on Saturday in Rustenburg.
In-form Yao Kouassi Gervais ‘Gervinho’ scored the opener in the first half before Yaya Toure and substitute Didier Ya Konan added one each in the closing stages for their second successive win at the tournament.
Cote d’Ivoire coach Sabri Lamouchi made changes to his team leaving out inspirational captain Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure from the starting line-up and it paid off as they cruised to a convincing win over the Carthage Eagles.
Russia-based youngster Lacina Traore led the attack and together with Gervinho, they led raids into the half of the North Africans, who sat back allowing the Ivorians to dominate possession. Appearing the hungrier, it was only a matter of time that the Elephants would score.
courtesy of afcononline.com
On 20 minutes, Gervinho during his forays upfront fetched Traore, but the latter’s effort missed narrowly. Few seconds later, Traore turned provider feeding Gervinho, who curled home from close range for the first goal.
The Ivorians maintained their hold of the game as the Tunisians struggled in search of their feet. Throughout the first half, the Tunisians rarely threatened the Ivorian defence revolved around Souleymane Bamba and Didier Zokora whilst Cheick Tiote foiled all the attacking forays of the Carthage Eagles.
Tunisia resumed on a high note and playmaker Youssef Msakni made surging runs upfront aided by Oussama Darragi, who had just come on. On 48 minutes, Msakni meandered his way through the Ivorian defence before laying to Saber Khalifa, but the latter will deliver an effort that missed narrowly.
The Carthage Eagles saw much of possession with Msakni and Darragi gaining the upperhand over their opponents. Yet, they failed to break through with Samba and Zokora neutralizing their quests for the equalizer.
Few minutes later, Drogba came on for Traore whilst Max Gradel replaced Salomon Kalou as Lamouchi varied his options upfront. The Elephants took control once again and Gradel almost registered his name on the score cards with his first touch with a volley that missed by inches.
Five minutes from time, Tunisia had their best moment to draw even after Khalifa was put through but his final touch was no problem for Ivorian goalie Boubacar Barry.
Two minutes later and the Elephants will teach them how to score with Toure firing home from close range for the second goal before Ya Konan put the icing on the cake with the third goal just seconds after replacing Romaric.
Ivorian goalie Barry denied the Carthage Eagles a consolation in the dying embers of the game making a firm grab of Mskani’s header.
 courtesy of afcononline.com
On 20 minutes, Gervinho during his forays upfront fetched Traore, but the latter’s effort missed narrowly. Few seconds later, Traore turned provider feeding Gervinho, who curled home from close range for the first goal.
The Ivorians maintained their hold of the game as the Tunisians struggled in search of their feet. Throughout the first half, the Tunisians rarely threatened the Ivorian defence revolved around Souleymane Bamba and Didier Zokora whilst Cheick Tiote foiled all the attacking forays of the Carthage Eagles.
Tunisia resumed on a high note and playmaker Youssef Msakni made surging runs upfront aided by Oussama Darragi, who had just come on. On 48 minutes, Msakni meandered his way through the Ivorian defence before laying to Saber Khalifa, but the latter will deliver an effort that missed narrowly.
The Carthage Eagles saw much of possession with Msakni and Darragi gaining the upperhand over their opponents. Yet, they failed to break through with Samba and Zokora neutralizing their quests for the equalizer.
Few minutes later, Drogba came on for Traore whilst Max Gradel replaced Salomon Kalou as Lamouchi varied his options upfront. The Elephants took control once again and Gradel almost registered his name on the score cards with his first touch with a volley that missed by inches.
Five minutes from time, Tunisia had their best moment to draw even after Khalifa was put through but his final touch was no problem for Ivorian goalie Boubacar Barry.
Two minutes later and the Elephants will teach them how to score with Toure firing home from close range for the second goal before Ya Konan put the icing on the cake with the third goal just seconds after replacing Romaric.
Ivorian goalie Barry denied the Carthage Eagles a consolation in the dying embers of the game making a firm grab of Mskani’s header.
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