The Ivory Coast qualified for the knockout phase of the African Nations Championship CHAN 2016 in style after an emphatic 4-1 win over Gabon at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday afternoon, according to AIT News.
The Elephants took the lead in the 19th minute after a beautiful long-range drive from Essis Aka sailed past Gabonese keeper Yves Moto into the bottom corner.
Gabon levelled the tie after 51 minutes when Franck Obambou met a teasing corner kick from Knox Younga, leaving goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare stranded in the Ivory Coast goal.
Cote D’Ivoire came back stronger in the second half and regained their lead through Djedje Guiza in the 65th minute, before substitute Koffi Boua scored a fine solo run, side-stepping two defenders to make it 3-1 and pit the game beyond the reach of Gabon.
The ruthless Ivorians put a gloss to the score in the 84th minute when Ble Treika made it 4-1 with a beautiful first touch to go lose his marker before beating the Yves Moto with a low shot.
In the other Group A match, hosts Rwanda fell 4-1 to Morroco but it was too little ,too late for the Atlas Lions who were knocked out as the hosts and Ivory Coast took the quarterfinal berths from the group.
