ASEC Mimosas lose sight of the title
MTN Ligue 1 : Super Division
At the end of day 8 of
the Super Division, Africa Sports d’Abidjan took a serious option on the crown,
beating Séwé Sports 2-0 on Wednesday behind closed doors at the Stade Félix
Houphouet-Boigny.
After beating the
Portuaires 2-0 in the first leg, the Aiglons did it again despite an assertive
Séwéké team.
The Green and Red
dominated from the start, increasing the pressure after the expulsion of Séwé
striker, Koffi Foba Steven on the 35th minute.
But San Pedro’s men
put up a strong resistance and both teams went into the break on the score of
0-0.
The Portuaires even
appeared dangerous in the second half, but Zougoula Kevin and Dembélé
Souleymane came up against the Oyé defence about an hour into the encounter.
Africa had to wait for
the 85th minute to break the deadlock on a Friday Ezé header, with the Nigerian
managing a brace during extra time.
Toto Nobile’s men put
up a fine performance which keeps Séwé on six points and SOA on five after
their draw against ASEC, two days from the end of the championship.
The Mimos will
therefore not retain their title, after been held to a draw by the Militaires,
1-1 on Thursday at the Stade Robert Champroux.
All started rather
well for Sébastien Desabre’s protégés who took the advantage from the 3rd
minute through Dogba Gnagbo Ange.
ASEC were showered
with opportunities which should have placed them out of reach in the first
half, but neither Mangoua Késsé, Boua Koffi nor Bakary Koné were able to carry
through their efforts.
The Sonjas de
Yamoussoukro woke up in the second half and found the Achilles’ heel on the
49th minute, thanks to a misunderstanding between the keeper Mimosas Sanogo
Moussa and his defender Okou Zahui which benefitted Okan Agoussi who equalised
for SOA.
The Militaires then came close to taking the advantage five minutes later when they were awarded a
penalty following a foul on Konan Parfait by Okou Zahui. But a well-inspired Sanogo Moussa deflected
Okan Agoussi’s effort.
ASEC found themselves
dominating again, playing at eleven against ten after the expulsion of their
opponent’s keeper, Kanté Guyan at the 75th minute, but could not find a gap
before the final whistle sounded.
The third encounter of
day eight, which saw AFAD do battle with Stella Club d’Adjamé on Wednesday at
the Parc des Sports de Treichville, ended on a draw 1-1.
AFAD therefore remain
in fourth place with the Magnans bringing up the rear, just behind ASEC; the
three teams can mathematically no longer challenge for the title.
The national crown
will therefore be fought out between Africa Sports, SOA and Séwé Sport, with
the latter only having the smallest chance given their goal difference.
The results of day
eight:
Séwé Sport 0-2 Africa
Sports
AFAD 1-1 Stella
ASEC 1-1 SOA
The programme for day
nine:
Sunday 20 November
Séwé Sport-ASEC (Stade Robert Champroux)
Stella-SOA (Parc des Sports de Treichville)
AFAD-Africa Sports (Stade Félix
Houphouet-Boigny)
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