The Ivory Coast one of the favourites of the 2008 African Cup of Nations were under not-so-much-pressure to satisfy everybody’s expectations as they met the their Guinean counterparts in a seasoned quarter final in Sekondi, proving, once again, their mastery and well deserved victories.
The Ivory Coast one of the favourites of the 2008 African Cup of Nations were under not-so-much-pressure to satisfy everybody’s expectations as they met the their Guinean counterparts in a seasoned quarter final in Sekondi, proving, once again, their mastery and well deserved victories.
With an all star line up against their Guinean counterparts, the Elephants looked poised with calm confidence. The first few minutes were uneventful as the Elephants kept and controlled the ball without any threat to their mates from Guinea until fifteen minutes into the match when the Ivorians started feeling quite comfy in the Guinean eighteen.
The Syli Nationales prove that they are not that weak when they clear a couple of corners as well as some serious interceptions to balls with attitude. We hear some people applaud the Guinean Sahko for his interventions… but alas ! in the 25th minute Abdelkader Keita leaves no chance to the Guineans as he dribbles his way through them swerving the Syli nationale goalkeeper’s questionable reflexes and bags home the first goal of the match.
Among Syli Nationale’s efforts in the first half include Bangoura’s brilliant footwork saved by the Ivorian keeper. Kamara saves a dangerous ball from Drogba. Drogba leaves the pitch for a minute for medical attention in the 36th minute.
In the second half, Drogba offsides, while Bangoura looks desperately useless around the box. Daouda of Syli National is not successful with his free-kick, ouch ! …. less than ten minutes after the missed free-kick, the Elephant striker, Arthur Boka gives Drogba a pass. Drogba dances gracefully through a bevy of defence guards and finishing it with a powerful shot to bag a goal (70)! Three minutes later and Salomon Kalou practically walks another insolent looking ball over the goal line! effortlessly !! Ivory Coast 3, Guinea nil (73).
Guinea is demoralised, they look like they have given in. Robert Nouzaret’s men want to go home and away from the heat and humidity ! The absence of Feindouno can be felt on the Guinean side. Goal number four (Kalou, 81) comes in without surprise, we were actually expecting it!
Prelude to a fifth goal : Kalou controls the ball on the left wing, without any efforts to stop him from the Guinean side, he passes the ball to Koné. The player from Nice shoots a direct unpeturbed kick into the Guinean net ! (90), Cheeky !!! Someone is on coffee break !
Three minutes extra. The Elephants obviously think there is no point for more goals but Camara, the Syli Nationale striker does not want the Ivorians to go home with the victory without any mention of his name. He tries his level best to get a yellow card after a pointless foul. Obtained with cheeky ease ! The match ends 5-0 against Guinea. The Elephants are through to the semis…
