Elephants AFCON watch
Arsenal’s Ivoirian striker Gervinho against West Brom
Eboué and Gervinho through in UCL
MTNFootball.com reviews the performances of Ivoirian internationals ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
What’s hot?
Yaya Touré’s goal against Manchester United
VfB Stuttgart and Arthur Boka’s third consecutive win in the Bundesliga
Galatasaray and Emmanuel Eboué’s qualification for the Champions League round of sixteen
Manchester City and the Touré brothers’ defeat by United
Salomon Kalou’s withdrawal against Sochaux
Max Gradel and Saint-Etienne lose the derby
Gervinho’s big match against West Bromwich
Arsenal and Gervinho put an end to a series of three matches without a win when they beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, during the sixteenth week of the Premier League. A brace by Arteta on a penalty and an excellent performance by the Elephants’ winger allowed the Gunners to climb back into seventh position. The Ivoirian international is slowly but surely getting back to his old form with his return from injury, which is of course good news for the Elephants at five weeks before kick-off of the Afcon 2013.
Yaya Touré’s goal against Manchester United
After trailing 2-0 at half-time following a brace by Wayne Rooney and Manchester United, the Citizens came back into the game on the hour mark thanks to Elephants’ playmaker Yaya Touré. With help from a Carlos Tevez assist, the Ivoirian international reduced the deficit with a powerful strike before Zabaleta put the two rivals on equal footing. But the Red Devils finally managed to win the game thanks to a Robin van Persie goal in the dying moments of the match.
VfB Stuttgart and Arthur Boka’s third consecutive win in the Bundesliga
VfB Stuttgart and their Ivoirian defender Arthur Boka outclassed Schalke 04 3-1 during week 16 of the Bundesliga. The Elephants left back and his teammates thereby signed their third consecutive victory, which sees them bag sixth place on the league standings.
Galatasaray and Emmanuel Eboué’s qualification for the Champions League round of sixteen
Turkish outfit Galatasaray and their Ivoirian defender Emmanuel Eboué qualified for the prestigious Champions League round of sixteen this week. Their 2-1 victory on the fields of Sporting Braga during the sixth and final week saw them garner second place in Group H behind Manchester United.
What’s not?
What’s not?
Another defeat for SC Lokeren and Copa Barry in Belgium
Following a fine series of seven consecutive victories, SC Lokeren and their Ivoirian ‘keeper Copa Barry have strung together two defeats, one against Racing Genk 3-4 and a second at the hands of FC Malines 1-2 this weekend. The time has come for the Elephants goalkeeper to find his former confidence, at just five weeks before kick-off of the Africa Cup of Nations 2013.
Manchester City and the Touré brothers’ defeat by United
Despite a goal by Yaya on the hour mark, Manchester City and the Touré brothers were defeated 2-3 by their rivals Manchester United on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, during the sixteenth week of the Premier League. The Citizens are now six points short of the Red Devils on the league tables.
Salomon Kalou’s withdrawal against Sochaux
Ivoirian international Salomon Kalou did not represent Lille in the away game against Sochaux on Saturday during week 16 of the Ligue 1, due to illness. The LOSC could only secure a point from the draw, suffering a disappointing fourth consecutive match without a win.
Max Gradel and Saint-Etienne lose the derby
Saint-Etienne and their Ivoirian striker Max Gradel were outclassed on Sunday evening 0-1 against their Lyon enemy during the sixteenth week of the Ligue 1. A free kick by Michel Bastos in the second half allowed les Gones to win the hottest derby on the French league calendar. Les Verts nevertheless remain in fourth place.
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