Ivory Coast beat Ghana 2-0 in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener

Ivory Coast began their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ghana, with M. Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié scoring in a decisive 14-minute spell.

Ivory Coast

• Y. Fofana
• L. Zogbe
• O. Diomande
• E. Ndicka
• G. Konan
• I. Sangaré
• F. Kessié
• N. Pépé
• M. Yalcouyé
• Y. Diomande
• A. Bonny

Ghana

• L. Zigi
• K. Peprah Oppong
• A. Djiku
• J. Opoku
• G. Mensah
• A. Fatawu
• Caleb Marfo Yirenkyi
• K. Sibo
• C. Bonsu Baah
• B. Thomas-Asante
• E. Nuamah

Substitutions:

Ivory Coast

• A. Bonny (Sepe Elye Wahi, 72)
• I. Sangaré (Christ Inao Oulaï, 72)
• N. Pépé (Bazoumana Touré, 86)

Ghana

• C. Bonsu Baah (Augustine Boakye, 64)
• B. Thomas-Asante (Felix Ohene Afena-Gyan, 64)
• E. Nuamah (Benjamin Tetteh, 64)
• A. Djiku (Jonas Adjetey, 71)
• K. Peprah Oppong (Ibrahim Sulemana, 71)

Ball possession:

Yalcouyé broke the deadlock in the 44th minute before Kessié doubled Ivory Coast’s lead in the 58th minute. Ghana registered more shots on target but could not find a way past the Ivory Coast defence.

Passes:

The result gives Ivory Coast an ideal start in Match Round 1 of Africa Cup of Nations qualification, while Ghana were left to reflect on missed opportunities and a lack of cutting edge in the final third.

Defense:

Yalcouyé strikes before half-time

The match remained goalless until the closing stages of the first half, when Yalcouyé put Ivory Coast ahead in the 44th minute.

Face-to-face:

It was the key moment of a closely contested opening period and gave Ivory Coast a valuable advantage going into the interval. Ghana had threatened with efforts of their own but were unable to convert their opportunities.

Fouls:

• Yellow cards:
• M. Yalcouyé (Ivory Coast) at 45 minute
• Christ Inao Oulaï (Ivory Coast) at 86 minute
• B. Thomas-Asante (Ghana) at 34 minute
• C. Bonsu Baah (Ghana) at 56 minute

Penalties in a match:

• F. Kessié (Ivory Coast) at 58 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Ivory Coast – W
• Ghana – L

Top 5 Africa Cup of Nations – Qualification scorers:

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Ivory Coast will play with Somalia. September 29 at 19:00 (GMT), on None.
• Ghana will play with Gambia. September 29 at 16:00 (GMT), on None.