AFCON 2023: Cote d’Ivoire send strong warning to Nigeria with Sierra Leone bashing

By Wale Mustapha

2023 Africa Cup of Nations hosts, Ivory Coast have fired warning shots to their group stage opponents at the tournament, including Nigeria, with a 5-1 humbling of Sierra Leone in a tune up match on Saturday.

The Super Eagles were drawn alongside Ivory Coast, alongside Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau in Group A of the continent’s biggest showpiece.

Participating countries at the biennial football showpiece are taking part in final predatory games before the tournament proper.

The Elephants took on the Leone Stars at the Stade Laurent Pokou with Coach Jean-Louis Gasset naming a strong side including former AC Milan midfielder, Frank Kessie with Jonathan Bamba and Jeremie Boga leading the attack.

Ousmane Diomande, Kessie and Bamba scored in the early stages of the match handing the Elephants a strong start.

Two more goals were added in the second half by Ivory Coast through Boga and Lazare Amani rendering a late goal from Rodney Micheal a mere consolation for Sierra Leone.

The Super Eagles who have shipped in six gold jn the last five games will be taking Ivory Coast at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara Stadium on January 18.