Stade d’Abidjan secured a crucial 1-0 win away at Bouaké on Sunday, keeping the pressure firmly on Ivorian Ligue 1 leaders AFAD as the title race intensifies with just a handful of matches remaining.
Mansou Kouakou proved to be the difference-maker, breaking the deadlock in the 81st minute after a tense, hard-fought encounter.
The late strike ensured the visitors retained their second-place position, remaining just one point behind AFAD following their own win the previous day.
The result means Stade d’Abidjan continue to challenge for the top spot as the season heads into its final stretch.
The match, part of the 26th round of the championship, saw the visitors struggle to break through a disciplined Bouaké defence for much of the game.
However, patience and persistence eventually paid off as Kouakou’s goal delivered a valuable three points in the closing stages.
Meanwhile, at the bottom end of the table, AS Denguelé seized a lifeline with a late flurry to defeat fellow strugglers Lys Sassandra 2-0.
The match remained goalless until the 89th minute, when Armand Sié broke the deadlock and brought relief to the Odiennékas.
Just minutes later, in stoppage time, Tidiane Siaka added a second to secure the victory and all but confirm the outcome.
Despite the win, AS Denguelé remain in the relegation zone in 15th place, hovering just above Lys Sassandra, who sit at the foot of the table.
Both clubs are fighting for survival as the season nears its climax, with every point now carrying significant weight.
Elsewhere, Mouna FC and Stella Club faced off in a closely contested fixture that ultimately went the way of Stella.
The Adjamé-based club edged a narrow 1-0 victory in a match defined by defensive discipline and tactical caution.
Though lacking in attacking flair, the result was enough for Stella to keep climbing the table as they quietly stake their claim among the league’s contenders.
As the Ivorian Ligue 1 campaign enters its decisive phase, the battle at both ends of the table remains fiercely competitive.
With Stade d’Abidjan breathing down AFAD’s neck and the relegation fight intensifying, the remaining fixtures promise no shortage of drama.
