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Cote d'Ivoire thrashes Benin 4-1
Essipon (W/R) Jan. 25, Ghanadot/GNA
- The Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire continued their winning
spree in the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament when
they thrashed the Squirrels of Benin in the second "Group B"
encounter at the Sekondi stadium at Essipon, near Sekondi on
Friday.
The Elephants kicked-off in a whirlwind fashion and the
attacking machinery headed by Captain Didier Drogba made
some exciting moves to signal their determination to carry
the day.
They made several incursions into the vital area of their
opponents but could not find the net due to erratic shooting
up front.
Aruna Dindane came close to score in the 15th minute but the
Benin goalkeeper, Rachad Chitou, expertly saved his powerful
driver.
Benin gradually warmed up into the game and tried to end the
dominance of the Elephants by occasionally making
threatening moves that were thwarted by the strong defence
of the Ivorians.
The efforts of the hardworking attacking line of the
Elephants was rewarded when Drobga collected a through pass
from a team mate and delivered a great shot to which Chitou
had no answer.
Yaya Toure made it two just before half time.
When the game resumed Benin made a couple of substitutions
Mouritala Ogounbiyi for Alain Gaspoz and Abou Maiga for
Seidah Tchomogo to strengthen the attacking line.
In the 53rd minute, Abdul Kader Keita in a great effort
scored the third goal for the Elephants.
Aruna Dindane, who had a great day, increased the tally to
four goals in the 74th minute.
In spite of the score-line, Benin kept on pressing for a
goal. They took the game to their opponents forcing them to
commit some blunders but they could not capitalise on the
chances that came their way.
However, lady luck giggled on Benin when Razack Omotoyossi
header beat Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry in post for the
Elephants on the 90th minute.
Line up of the Elephants: Boubacar Barry; Boka Arthur;
Didier Zokora; Kolo Toure; Didier Drgba/Boubacar Sanogo;
Salomon Kalu; Aboudulaye Meite; Haruna Dindane; Abdu Kader
Keita; Yaya Toure and Emmanuel Ebue.
Line up of Benin: Rachad Chitou; Khaled Adnon; Damien
Chrysostome/Noel Seka; Romauld Boco; Razack Omotoyossi;
Oumar Tchomogo; Alain Gaspoz; Anicet Adjamossi; stephane
Sessegnon; Seidah Tchomogo and Jocelin Ahoueya.
GNA
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