AFCON 2017 Qualifiers: Côte d’Ivoire Held by Sierra Leone in Lacklustre Stalemate
By BBC Sport Africa
Reigning African champions Côte d’Ivoire were held to a goalless draw by Sierra Leone on Sunday in a disappointing Group I encounter in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Played at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Nigeria — a neutral venue due to security concerns in Sierra Leone — the match failed to live up to expectations. Côte d’Ivoire, under the guidance of new head coach Michel Dussuyer, struggled to find rhythm or precision on a pitch that more closely resembled a potato field than a professional playing surface.
The Elephants, missing several key players, including the retired Didier Drogba and injured stars such as Yaya Touré and Gervinho, lacked their usual attacking threat. Despite their dominance in possession, they were unable to break down a compact and determined Sierra Leone defence.
Both sides had few clear chances in a cagey match, and while Sierra Leone will be pleased with the point against the continent’s top team, the Ivorians will see this as two points dropped in their quest to defend their AFCON crown.
Coach Dussuyer, who took over from Hervé Renard after Côte d’Ivoire’s 2015 title triumph, admitted his side had more to offer. “It wasn’t the result we hoped for, but conditions were difficult, and we must improve in the coming matches,” he said post-match.
With this result, the standings in Group I remain unchanged. Sudan — who beat Sierra Leone in June — continue to top the group, despite a 4-0 thrashing by Gabon in a separate friendly fixture, which does not count towards the qualification standings.
Côte d’Ivoire will look to bounce back in the next round of qualifiers as they aim to book their place in Gabon and mount a strong title defence. But for now, the Elephants must address their lack of cutting edge and find a way to reassert their dominance on the continent.
