Gervinho Issues Public Apology After Red Card in Ivory Coast’s AFCON Opener
By BBC Sport Africa
Malabo – January 2015
Ivory Coast forward Gervinho has publicly apologised after receiving a straight red card during his team’s 1-1 draw with Guinea in their opening Group D match at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
The AS Roma striker was sent off early in the second half for slapping an opponent, reportedly in retaliation for being stepped on. His dismissal left the Elephants down to ten men, complicating their efforts to overturn a 1-0 deficit. Despite the setback, Ivory Coast managed to equalise through Seydou Doumbia and secure a point — though many believe they could have taken more from the match had Gervinho remained on the pitch.
Following widespread criticism, including sharp remarks from former Cameroon international Patrick Mboma, Gervinho took to social media to express regret over his actions.
“I would like to offer my apologies to the Ivorian nation, to my teammates, to the supporters and to the organisers of the CAN, for this gesture of anger which is not like me, and which obviously has no place on a football field,” Gervinho wrote in a post on his official Facebook account.
Mboma, speaking as a pundit, condemned the behaviour, calling it unacceptable for a player of Gervinho’s calibre and experience. “It was a foolish moment. A needless red card that put his team in difficulty,” Mboma said. “That kind of loss of control is simply not excusable at this level.”
Gervinho, one of the most experienced players in Hervé Renard’s squad, had been among the Elephants’ most effective players during the first half. His absence will be a blow for Ivory Coast, especially with crucial matches against Mali and Cameroon still to come.
He now faces a likely two-match suspension, which would rule him out for the remainder of the group stage — a serious setback for a team aiming to end a 23-year wait for an AFCON title.
Despite his apology, questions remain about discipline and composure in the Ivorian camp, especially given the high expectations on a team packed with talent. Coach Hervé Renard, who guided Zambia to an unexpected title in 2012, must now reshuffle his attack for the next match, with Doumbia, Wilfried Bony, and Max Gradel likely to carry the load.
The Elephants’ next match in Group D will be against Mali, where they will look to regroup and move closer to the knockout stage — but they will have to do so without one of their most explosive attacking options.
