Atlas Lions pounce with deadly effect

DEFENDING champions the Ivory Coast were sent packing from the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday after losing 1-0 to a Morocco side coached by their old boss Herve Renard.

A brilliant Rachid Alioui goal gave Morocco the victory in Oyem in northern Gabon as the Atlas Lions marched on to the quarterfinals alongside DR Congo. An impressive Congolese side eased to a 3-1 win against Togo in the night’s other game in Port-Gentil as they sealed top spot in Group C. But it is the elimination of the Elephants, winners in 2015 after a penalty shootout against Ghana, that overshadows all else.

Their departure is the latest blow to the tournament following premature exits for hosts Gabon and much-fancied Algeria in the last few days. And for the fourth consecutive Afcon, the reigning champions will be absent from the quarterfinals.

Renard hopes to become the first coach to win three Afcon titles with three different countries having also won it with Zambia in 2012.

“Now a new competition begins with the knockout matches, which will be much like this one, and we will need a winning mentality,” said Renard.

Alioui, of French second-tier side Nimes, curled in a sublime longrange effort at the end of a counterattack just past the hour mark to break the deadlock and leave the Ivorians needing to score twice to stay alive. They could not.

“It is an immense disappointment. My thoughts go out to all Ivorians who are going through a difficult time,” said their French coach Michel Dussuyer.

“I take responsibility. We did not fulfil our objectives. Our ambition was to get past the first round and retain our title,” he added.

As the Ivorians prepare to go home, Morocco will now head to Port-Gentil for a quarterfinal while DR Congo make their way back to Oyem. Florent Ibenge’s side needed just a draw to qualify but a 3-1 win over Togo secured top spot.

The group stage concluded last night when Ghana and Egypt clash in Port-Gentil and Mali meet Uganda in Oyem in Group D.

● Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals lineup in Gabon:

At Libreville, Burkina Tunisia Saturday, 6pm

At Franceville, Senegal v Cameroon Saturday, 9pm

At Oyem, Democratic Republic of Congo v Group D runners-up Sunday, 6pm

At Port-Gentil, Group D winners v Morocco Sunday, 9pm. — AFP Faso v