Ivory Coast reach QFs with 10 men
Ivory Coast became the first team to reach the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a 3-1 triumph over severely depleted Ghana in Group B yesterday. It was a polished performance by the Elephants, who were reduced to 10 men on 56 minutes when...
Ivory Coast became the first team to reach the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a 3-1 triumph over severely depleted Ghana in Group B yesterday.
It was a polished performance by the Elephants, who were reduced to 10 men on 56 minutes when Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue was red-carded for a vicious tackle from behind on Opoku Agyemang with his team one goal ahead.
Victory lifted the title favourites to four points from two matches and they will be joined in the knockout phase by Burkina Faso or Ghana, who clash Tuesday in the final mini-league fixture.
Togo, the other country drawn in the group, withdrew before the tournament kicked off last Sunday after the bus convoy carrying them into Angola was attacked in this restive northern Angolan enclave.
Lille forward Kouassi 'Gervinho' Yao put Ivory Coast ahead midway through the first half at the new, 20,000-seat Chiazi Stadium, Siaka Tiene scored direct from a free-kick after 67 minutes and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba completed the victory in the final minute.
Ghana got a stoppage-time consolation goal via an Asamoah Gyan penalty after he had been fouled by Souleman Bamba.
Group B: Ivory Coast 4; Burkina Faso 1; Ghana 0.
Playing today: (Group C) Nigeria vs Benin; Egypt vs Mozambique.