Tops
The Ivory Coast striker, positioned alone at the forefront of a team in 4-2-3-1, first appeared particularly dangerous in the second part of the first period, with a header in the 40th minute of game in particular, but lacked accuracy in the finish. In the second half, the Borussia Dortmund striker, who will have to wait to return to his club – which will face PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16 of the Champions League on February 20 – then opened the scoring with a rather lucky volley . It first bounced in front of the cage of Ruthenian goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, before lobbing the Congolese goalkeeper and slipping into the back of the net. The only goal of this meeting.
The former AC Milan midfielder was the second most prominent Ivorian in the match. Essential in midfield, Franck Kessié, who played almost all of Ivory Coast’s matches in this African Cup of Nations, also came close to allowing his team to lead early. First in the 42nd minute, with a beautiful left-footed shot which hit Mpasi’s post, then in the 59th minute, where his shot was this time on target but well deflected by the Congolese goalkeeper.
Who would have bet on Ivory Coast after the humiliation inflicted by Equatorial Guinea in the third match of the group stages (0-4)? Drafted as the best third, Ivory Coast, which can count on the support of its public, has come a long way. They then won on penalties against Senegal then in overtime against Mali thanks to a goal scored… in the 120th 2. The story is beautiful.
Flops
The playmaker from the Democratic Republic of Congo missed out on his match. One might even wonder if he was on the ground. The Amiens player, formerly of RC Lens in particular, was rewarded for his first half with… an exit, after 45 minutes of play. Replaced by Théo Bongonda.
He is one of the best players from Ivory Coast since the start of the competition but this Wednesday, the former RC Lens player (yet another) was not up to the level of the event. He missed most of his deep passes, struggled to move forward and slowed the game down significantly, which probably explains his exit in the 61st minute. Replaced by Ibrahim Sangaré.
The Real Betis striker, who started five of the DRC’s six matches, did not score a single goal in the competition. Worse, he only made one small assist in the tournament and missed a penalty. Against Ivory Coast, he only touched 17 small balls for five lost. A competition to forget for the 32-year-old striker.
