Ivory Coast send strong message to Nigeria with thumping destruction of Sierra Leone

Ivory Coast ends pre-AFCON preparation on a high. (Photo Credit: Selephanto/X)

Ivory Coast send strong message to Nigeria with thumping destruction of Sierra Leone

Izuchukwu Akawor 03:53 - 07.01.2024

AFCON 2023 hosts Ivory Coast have completed their preparation after a strong warning for Nigeria against Sierra Leone in a pre-tournament friendly.

Hosts of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Ivory Coast are set for the competition after completing their preparation on a high.

With just a week to kick off, Cote d’Ivoire thrashed Sierra Leone 5-1 in their final pre-AFCON friendly on Saturday. 

Ivory Coast warn Nigeria

The Elephants find themselves in a tight Group A alongside one of the pre-tournament favourites, Nigeria’s Super Eagles. 

But the hosts do not look fazed by the task ahead following a brilliant preparation for the 2023 AFCON.

Cote d'Ivoire looks ready for the AFCON 2023.
Cote d'Ivoire looks ready for the AFCON 2023. (Photo Credit: Séléphanto Football /X)

Ivory Coast hosted and thrashed the Leone Stars in their final preparatory match held at the Stade Laurent Pokou, with the Stars proving no match. 

A star-studded team led by Barcelona’s Franck Kessie, who was the skipper of the day, put on the style to destroy their visitors in the opening half. 

Goals from Ousmane Diomande, Kessie and Jonathan Bamba gave the Elephants a deserved and convincing 3-0 advantage at the break.

In the second 45, Ivory Coast extended their lead to 5-0 courtesy of goals from Jeremie Boga and Lazare Amani to ultimately seal the game.

Nigeria's Super Eagles are the 42nd ranked nation in the latest FIFA Ranking
Super Eagles of Nigeria want to win the AFCON for the first time in 10 years. || Photo Credit: Imago

However, Sierra Leone ensured the scoreline was more respectable when they pulled one back via Rodney Michael to make it 5-1.  

The emphatic victory was the third in a row for the Elephants, who scored a total of 16 goals and conceded just one goal in that period. 

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Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire will go head-to-head at the AFCON 2023 on January 18 in what is one of the games of the tournament.

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