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 on Friday 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.
TURN ON THE STYLE
With wind in their sails, Ivory Coast closed the first 45 with confidence and made sure to shut down 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.
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.
Ivory Coast: (1) 3 (29’ Kouame, Haller 60’, Kouame 89’)
Comoros: (0) 1 (Youssouf 90+3’)
Ivory Coast: Sangare, Konan, Sylla, Bailly (Kossounou 86’), Aurier (Singo 45’), Kessie, I.Sangare, Traore (Aholou 72’), Gradel (Boga 72’), Haller (Krasso 72’), Kouame
Comoros: Ben Boina, Djaha (M’Madi 86’), Soilihi, Attoumani (M’Dahoma 49’), M.Youssouf, Bakari, M’Changama (I. Youssouf 86’), Mohamed (Mogni 66’), Ali Mohamed (Bourhane 66’), Selemani, B.Youssouf