AFCON 2023 (Q): Ivory Coast beat Comoros

Ivory Coast’s Elephants overcame Comoros’ Coelacanths on matchday 3 of AFCON 2023 qualifying. The Ivorians started at a fast pace but ran into a resolute Comorian defence.

However, at the hour mark, the crowd at the brand-new Bouaké stadium erupted. Christian Kouamé put his side ahead 1-0 from a Sangaré assist. That was the score at half-time, according to the source.

Haller strikes!

The attacking display did not end there. After the break, the 2015 African champions extended their lead. Having returned from illness a few months earlier after almost a year out, Sébastien Haller scored his 4th goal for the Elephants. Singoh, who had replaced Serge Aurier, delivered the cross, and the Dortmund striker headed home inside the Comorian box at the hour mark (2-0, 60th minute). The goal was celebrated across the country and gave his team-mates greater freedom to play.

They kept pushing forward. Late in the match, Krasso rounded goalkeeper Salime Boina after a superb Ghislain Konan pass inside the penalty area to make it 3 goals to 0. Youssouf pulled one back for Comoros in added time (90th minute +3), but it was only a consolation. The Elephants won 3 to 1. Gasset could breathe easier after the draw with Lesotho (0-0) on matchday 2.

Sanh Séverin, reporting from Bouaké