Main PageIvory Coast left to count potential cost of CANopener
Equatorial Guinea - The Ivory Coast could be left
counting the cost of the opening day of their Africa
Cup of Nations campaign after standout performer
Gervinho was sent off as the Elephants only
managed a 1-1 draw with Guinea.
Gervinho had the Ivorians' best chances in the first
half of an absorbing encounter in steamy Malabo,
coming closest from a shot that was turned against
the bar by Guinea goalkeeper Naby Yattara.
Also read: E.Guinea lodges complaint
However, after the Syli Nationale had taken the lead
into the interval courtesy of a Mohamed Yattara
strike that followed some poor defending, Gervinho
was sent off just before the hour mark for striking
Naby Keita in the face.
The Roma forward fell to the floor and slammed the
ground in anger after being shown a straight red card
by the Algerian referee which could compromise his
chances of featuring in the rest of the tournament.
Substitute Seydou Doumbia came on to equalise and
secure a share of the points, ensuring that it could
have been far worse for the Ivorians as they chase
their first continental title since 1992.
However, former Arsenal player Gervinho will now
serve an automatic one-match ban, ruling him out of
Saturday's second group game against Mali in
Equatorial Guinea's capital.
But he and his coach Herve Renard will be left
sweating and not just because of the hot and humid
conditions as they wait to discover whether a
lengthier ban lies in store for violent conduct.
Reigning African footballer of the year and captain
Yaya Toure said: "The game was tough and of
course we lost an important player in Gervinho but in
the first half we created a couple of chances.
"After that, yeah, we made a mistake and they took
their chance. But we have 23 players working hard
and we see how Doumbia comes in and he makes
the difference.
"At the CAN it's never easy. We made too many
blunders in the first half and it's true that against
Mali it will be very difficult but I still think we have a
chance to go through."
The result of Tuesday's second Group D game left
the section wide open, with Cameroon coming from
behind to draw 1-1 with Mali. However, both sides
indicated that they will cause problems for the Ivory
Coast, who finished behind Cameroon in their
qualifying group.
"I think in the first half we were not fantastic but we
still should have been in front. We had two chances
from Gervinho including one which hit the bar," said
Renard, who sported one of his trademark
immaculate white shirts for the occasion.
"Then one long cross that was going out until one of
our players kept it in and that led to Guinea's goal.
"So we were down and and then there was the
sending-off of Gervinho, so it was very tough but
sometimes you have to change something tactically
and go forward, because I think we could still have
won the game even with 10 men," added the
Frenchman, who continues to swat away
suggestions that his side are among the tournament
favourites.
"We have come here as a team under construction. I
think Cameroon were superior to us in qualifying so I
think it's difficult for us to come here and say we are
the big favourites.
"Guinea performed well in qualifying, notably in
drawing with Ghana and beating Togo 4-1 so they
are not a team to be underestimated. There are still
two matches left for us to qualify. Nothing has been
decided."
counting the cost of the opening day of their Africa
Cup of Nations campaign after standout performer
Gervinho was sent off as the Elephants only
managed a 1-1 draw with Guinea.
Gervinho had the Ivorians' best chances in the first
half of an absorbing encounter in steamy Malabo,
coming closest from a shot that was turned against
the bar by Guinea goalkeeper Naby Yattara.
Also read: E.Guinea lodges complaint
However, after the Syli Nationale had taken the lead
into the interval courtesy of a Mohamed Yattara
strike that followed some poor defending, Gervinho
was sent off just before the hour mark for striking
Naby Keita in the face.
The Roma forward fell to the floor and slammed the
ground in anger after being shown a straight red card
by the Algerian referee which could compromise his
chances of featuring in the rest of the tournament.
Substitute Seydou Doumbia came on to equalise and
secure a share of the points, ensuring that it could
have been far worse for the Ivorians as they chase
their first continental title since 1992.
However, former Arsenal player Gervinho will now
serve an automatic one-match ban, ruling him out of
Saturday's second group game against Mali in
Equatorial Guinea's capital.
But he and his coach Herve Renard will be left
sweating and not just because of the hot and humid
conditions as they wait to discover whether a
lengthier ban lies in store for violent conduct.
Reigning African footballer of the year and captain
Yaya Toure said: "The game was tough and of
course we lost an important player in Gervinho but in
the first half we created a couple of chances.
"After that, yeah, we made a mistake and they took
their chance. But we have 23 players working hard
and we see how Doumbia comes in and he makes
the difference.
"At the CAN it's never easy. We made too many
blunders in the first half and it's true that against
Mali it will be very difficult but I still think we have a
chance to go through."
The result of Tuesday's second Group D game left
the section wide open, with Cameroon coming from
behind to draw 1-1 with Mali. However, both sides
indicated that they will cause problems for the Ivory
Coast, who finished behind Cameroon in their
qualifying group.
"I think in the first half we were not fantastic but we
still should have been in front. We had two chances
from Gervinho including one which hit the bar," said
Renard, who sported one of his trademark
immaculate white shirts for the occasion.
"Then one long cross that was going out until one of
our players kept it in and that led to Guinea's goal.
"So we were down and and then there was the
sending-off of Gervinho, so it was very tough but
sometimes you have to change something tactically
and go forward, because I think we could still have
won the game even with 10 men," added the
Frenchman, who continues to swat away
suggestions that his side are among the tournament
favourites.
"We have come here as a team under construction. I
think Cameroon were superior to us in qualifying so I
think it's difficult for us to come here and say we are
the big favourites.
"Guinea performed well in qualifying, notably in
drawing with Ghana and beating Togo 4-1 so they
are not a team to be underestimated. There are still
two matches left for us to qualify. Nothing has been
decided."
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