Ivory Coast beats Gambia 2-1 in CAN 2027 qualifier in Bouaké
The Elephants move level on six points with Gambia at the top of Group C, with a return leg set for Bakau on Tuesday, 17 November.
Ivory Coast beat Gambia 2-1 on Thursday, 12 November, in Bouaké, in the third round of qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). The Elephants and Gambia are both unbeaten on six points in Group C, separated only by goal difference, +4 for Ivory Coast and +3 for Gambia.
Gambia's coach, Johnathan McKinstry, said on Wednesday that his side were not afraid of Ivory Coast and had come to take the three points. Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard was without Inter Milan forward Ange-Yoan Bonny, who was ruled out for medical reasons according to the Ivorian Football Federation, and without Ghislain Konan, who is missing the November window with a knee ligament injury. Oumar Diakité returned to the squad.
The two sides meet again on Tuesday, 17 November, in Bakau, Gambia. Over the two legs, the winner would take a serious step towards first place in the group and a place at the CAN 2027, which Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will host in June and July. In Group G, Cameroon beat Namibia 2-0.
Why it mattersThe winner of the two-leg series in Bouaké and Bakau will hold a six-point lead over third place and a strong claim to top spot in Group C and a place at CAN 2027.