AFCON 2015: Ivory Coast Fall to Sweden in Final Pre-Tournament Test
Abu Dhabi, UAE — Ivory Coast’s final warm-up match ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations ended in disappointment on Thursday, as the Elephants fell 2-0 to a weakened Swedish side in Abu Dhabi.
Despite fielding a star-studded lineup that included Yaya and Kolo Touré, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou, Max Gradel, and Wilfried Bony, Hervé Renard’s men were unable to assert their dominance. The team struggled for fluidity throughout the first half and went into the break level at 0-0.
Sweden, missing several first-choice players including captain Zlatan Ibrahimović, found the breakthrough in the second half. Ivory Coast failed to mount a meaningful response and conceded a second goal late in the match, sealing an uninspiring defeat just days before the tournament’s kickoff.
Renard, who guided Zambia to a surprise AFCON title in 2012, will be concerned by his side’s lack of cohesion and sharpness, especially given the high expectations placed on the Elephants, perennial contenders with only one continental title to their name — that coming in 1992.
The Elephants are scheduled to fly to Equatorial Guinea on Friday, where they will begin their AFCON campaign in Malabo against Guinea on Tuesday, 20 January.
Ivory Coast Starting XI vs Sweden:
Gbohouo – Aurier, Kolo Touré, Eric Bailly, Wilfried Kanon – Yaya Touré, Cheick Tioté, Salomon Kalou – Max Gradel, Gervinho, Wilfried Bony
With the tournament now just days away, Renard will be hoping his team can quickly regroup and find form in a challenging Group D that also features Cameroon and Mali.
