| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 11. Didier Drogba (39’) |
Elephants start with narrow win
Africa Cup of Nations favourites Cote d’Ivoire began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Sudan in a Group B clash in Malabo on Sunday evening.
The West Africans were expected to start the 2012 finals with a comprehensive win but found the Desert Hawks to be disciplined, well-organised opponents. However, Didier Drogba’s first half goal proved to be enough to separate the teams.
The match quickly settled into a predictable rhythm, with Cote d’Ivoire dominating possession and forcing Sudan onto the back foot. However, the Desert Hawks’ defence was well organised and made life tough for the Elephants attackers.
Still, the West Africans did create two good chances for Arsenal attacker Gervinho but the dreadlocked player spurned both opportunities, heading off target in the 30th minute and shooting over the crossbar in the 37th.
Cote d’Ivoire eventually broke the deadlock through none other than Didier Drogba. The striker headed home Salomon Kalou’s left flank cross in the 39th minute to put the favourites ahead.
Sudan very nearly came up with a quick response in what was a very strong end to the first half. First, Ahmed Al Basha shot wide of the near post, before Eltaib Mudather fired a shot onto the crossbar via the hand of goalkeeper Boubacar Barry.
And the East Africans picked up in the opening minutes of the second half where they left off in the first, troubling Cote d’Ivoire’s defence, though Barry made a couple of good saves to keep his side in the ascendancy.
Gervinho almost doubled the Elephants’ advantage in the 58th minute when he exchanged passes with Yaya Toure before shooting low on goal. The ball squirmed away from Sudan goalkeeper Mouez Mohjob but he got up quickly to recover.
That was the last attacking highlight as Cote d’Ivoire held on to their lead relatively comfortably against a Sudan side that seemed to be tiring as the game went on.
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