Sierra Leone came back from behind twice to prevent Ivory Coast from achieving their second win of the tournament.
Sierra Leone held Ivory Coast to a 2-2 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations game on Sunday. The Elephants could not secure an early qualification to the next round as Sierra Leone delivered another brilliant performance.
Sierra Leone are unbeatable!
Sierra Leone came into the match on the back of their impressive 0-0 draw against Algeria. Just like that game, the Leone stars started the game by handing the possession to their opponents.
Ivory Coast had the chance to score an early opener from the penalty spot. However, Mohamed Kamara saved Franck Kessie’s penalty with a great save in the 12th minute. Following a few more missed chances, the Elephants finally broke the deadlock through Ajax ace Sebastian Haller in the 25th minute. Following the opener, they came close to scoring several more times.
However, Kamara’s heroics prevented them from extending their lead before the interval. Sierra Leone started the second period with a significantly better form. They scored an equalizer through Musa Noah Kamara in the 55th minute.
However, Ivory Coast were quick to restore their lead. Only ten minutes after Sierra Leone’s goal, Nicolas Pepe made it 2-1 with a left-footed shot from inside the box.
Ivory Coast continued their attacks after the second goal while Sierra Leone hoped to find a breakthrough on counter-attacks. The Elephants were close to securing the victory that would earn them an early qualification to the knock-out stage.
However, the second equalizer from Sierra Leone in the 94th minute ruined their plans. Following an unbelievable blunder from goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare, Alhaji Kamara levelled the result once again.
Ivory Coast pushed to score a late match-winner but had no chance of beating Sierra Leone’s solid defence. The Elephants go on top of the Group E table ahead of tonight’s game between Algeria and Equatorial Guinea. Sierra Leone will face Equatorial Guinea in their next game while Ivory Coast meet Algeria.
Player Rankings
Ivory Coast: Sangare (5), Aurier (5), Bailly (6), Deli (6), Konan (6), Sangare (7), Seri (7), Kessie (6), Zaha (6), Haller (8), Pepe (9).
Bench: Kossounou (6), Traore (5), Kouame (6), Kouassi (5), Die (5).
Sierra Leone: Nbalie Kamara (8), Kakay (6), Bangura (5), Caulker (6), Wright (6), Quee (7), Kamara (6), Bundu (6), Kamara (6), Buya Turay (7), M.Kamara (7).
Bench: Kaikai (6), A.Kamara (7), Kallon (6).
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