Big win for Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast have made their point with a remarkable 5-1 crushing of Sierra Leone in Friday’s opening game of the weekend’s round of 2015 Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers.

The crowd in Abidjan can thank two-goal star Salomon Kalou as well as Kolo Toure, Max Gradel and Gervinho for the strikes that made the difference.

The victory takes the Elephants to 9 points, just one behind leaders Cameroon who play DR Congo, who have six points, tomorrow.

After just seven minutes Liverpool defender Kolo Toure opened the score off a cross from Max Gradel from the right. Kolo at first missed the ball but got a second chance.

Ten minutes later the Ivorians hit the woodwork when Lacina Traore headed Gradel’s cross onto the bar.

But despite Ivory Coast’s domination, Sierra Leone got the equaliser in the 25th minute through Mustapha Bangoura following a one-two with Alhassan Kamara.

Less than ten minutes later, Bangoura got injured and had to be replaced by Ibrahim Kallay

The game was level at the interval.

But in the 49th minute, Salomon Kalou put his side ahead off another cross by the in-form Max Gradel. He then missed a great chance a few minutes later following a pass from Kalou.

But Gradel made sure in the 52nd minute burying a goal from a cross by Siaka Tiene.

On the hour mark, Gervinho got the Ivorians’ fourth goal of the day thanks to an assist by forward Lacina Traore.

And Kalou wrapped it up in the 73rd minute to take his overall tally to four goals in these Afcon qualifiers following a first brace against DR Congo.

TEAMS:

Sierra Leone : Solomon Zombo Morris, Alie Sesay, David Simbo, Mustapha Dumbuya, John Kamara, Lansana Kamara, Mohamed Kamara, Mustapha Bangura, Hassan Sesay, Sherif Suma , Alhassan Kamara

Cote D'ivoire : Sylvain Gbohouo, Kolo Toure, Siaka Tiene , Ousmane Viera Diarassouba, Serge Aurier, Yaya Toure, Geoffroy Serey Die, Max Gradel, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho, Lacina Traore