Times of Eswatini

Ivory Coast outclass Comoros

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Ivory Coast ................. 3 Comoros ..................... 1 OUAKE

B– Ivory Coast turned on the style in their latest 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and recorded a convincing 3-1 victory over Comoros at Stade Bouake last night.

Ivory Coast were all over their opponents during the opening stages of the game and carved out a couple of goal scoring chances in the first 10 minutes of the game. As a result, Comoros were penned to the edge of their penalty area while the Ivorians attacked with intent.

After 20 minutes on the clock, Ivory Coast looked comfortabl­e in possession and were dangerous with every single attacking move. The star studded outfit kept chipping away as Comoros struggled to find a clear solution in neutralisi­ng their opponents attacking threats.

The Ivorians’ pressure paid off moments before the half-hour mark and they took the lead courtesy of a well-taken effort by Christian Kouame inside the Comoros box.

After going a goal down, Comoros battled to get into the game and were often smothered by Ivory Coast in different areas of the pitch. With wind in their sails, Ivory Coast closed the first 45 with confidence and made sure to shutdown every Comoros attack with relative ease.

The home team began the second-half just as they closed the first and produced a couple of attempts at goal with the Comoros goalkeeper called into action.

After an hour of football played, Ivory Coast took full control of the tie by adding another goal to the scoreboard. With a quality ball crossed into the penalty area from the right wing, Sebastien Haller was on hand to double his nation’s tally with a thumping header.

Dangerous

As the clock reached the 80 minute mark, Ivory Coast remained dangerous going forward and consistent­ly infiltrate­d the Comoros defence in wide areas. In seeing out the game, the home team turned on the style with individual tricks and flicks, much to the delight of the supporters in the stands.

In putting the game beyond Comoros, Jean-Phillippe Krasso added his name to the goal scorers list after latching onto a well-weighted cross inside the opposition area in the 89th minute.

The travelling side managed to score a consolatio­n goal in the 93rd minute, however, it proved to be too little, too late as the Ivorians bagged maximum points at Stade Bouake.

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