Football
ESPN staff 9y

Ivory Coast thrash Sierra Leone, Tunisia qualify with draw

Ivory Coast moved into second place in African Nations Cup qualification group D with a 5-1 victory over Sierra Leone.

The Elephants lost to DR Congo in their last match but bounced back in style at the half-full Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure opened the scoring after eight minutes only for Sierra Leone to equalise through Mustapha Bangura's excellent 25th-minute volley.

Shortly after the break, though, Salomon Kalou and Max Gradel struck in quick succession, before Gervinho added a fourth, and Kalou rounded off the win when he powered his way through before slotting home on 74 minutes.

Ivory Coast have now moved into second spot in the group, but DR Congo could draw level on points once more if they win away to group leaders Cameroon on Saturday.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the finals along with the best of the teams finishing in third place.

Tunisia secured their place at the finals despite having to settle for a goalless draw away to Botswana.

Tunisia had taken 10 points from their opening four games in qualification group G going into the match while Botswana were already out of contention after losing each of their previous matches.

Algeria and Cape Verde have already booked their place in the finals, which will be held between Jan. 17 and Feb. 8, along with Equatorial Guinea, who have now been confirmed as hosts.

^ Back to Top ^