For 89 minutes in Abidjan, Ivory Coast found only locked doors. Somalia defended in numbers, the hosts missed chance after chance, and Hervé Renard’s second match in charge appeared to be heading towards an increasingly uncomfortable stalemate. Then Yann Gboho’s first international appearance gave the Elephants their release.
Late goals rescue Ivory Coast in Abidjan
Ivory Coast eventually beat Somalia 2-0 on Tuesday, but the scoreline came only after a tense and frustrating evening for the home side.
- Franck Kessié wasted a major opening in the 21st minute, failing to convert into an empty net after Nicolas Pépé had initially missed the chance.
- Three minutes later, Malick Yalcouyé could not finish after the Somali goalkeeper had pushed away a Pépé free-kick.
- Pépé went even closer before the interval, striking the crossbar from another free-kick in the 45th minute.
- Somalia remained deep and compact after the break, leaving Ivory Coast with plenty of possession but few clear openings.
- Renard turned to his bench, introducing Bazoumana Touré, Rayan Fofana, Patrick Zabi and Gboho. A Paris FC midfielder tested the goalkeeper with a shot in the 69th minute.
- Gboho, making his senior international debut after coming on seven minutes earlier, finally broke the resistance in the 89th minute with a finish from inside the area.
- Touré then sealed the result in added time, scoring in the 94th minute to make it 2-0.
Renard has two wins, but warning signs remain
The result gives Renard a second win from his first two matches with Ivory Coast, following the opening 2-0 success against Ghana.
Yet the performance against Somalia underlined the work still required. Ivory Coast dominated the contest for long stretches, but their attacking play often lacked movement and precision. Yan Diomandé was too frequently left waiting for passes to his feet, while deliveries into the box regularly failed to create danger.
Somalia’s disciplined low block made the second half resemble attack against defence, but the visitors conceded remarkably few clean chances despite the pressure. The late intervention of Gboho changed the mood inside the stadium, before Touré added the decisive second goal.
Gboho’s debut will be remembered fondly after his late breakthrough, but Ivory Coast will need far greater efficiency in their next outings if they are to avoid another night of anxiety.
