The Ivory Coast national football team (the Elephants) got off to a winning start in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Seychelles 9-0 on Sunday. The victory was the Elephants’ first in the tournament since 2015.
The Elephants were dominant from the start, scoring three goals in the first 15 minutes. Wilfried Zaha opened the scoring in the fifth minute, and Nicolas Pépé added two goals in the 10th and 15th minutes.
The Elephants continued to attack in the second half, scoring six more goals. Sébastien Haller scored three goals, and Maxwel Cornet, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, and Ibrahim Sangaré each scored one.
The victory was a statement of intent from the Elephants, who are considered one of the favorites to win the tournament. The Elephants have a talented squad with a mix of experience and youth. Zaha, Pépé, and Haller are all in their prime, and the Elephants also have a number of promising young players, such as Cornet and Sangaré.
The Elephants’ next match in the tournament is against Guinea-Bissau on January 13.
Key Takeaways from the Match:
- The Elephants were dominant from the start, scoring three goals in the first 15 minutes.
- Wilfried Zaha, Nicolas Pépé, and Sébastien Haller all scored multiple goals for the Elephants.
- The victory was a statement of intent from the Elephants, who are considered one of the favorites to win the tournament.
The Elephants’ dominance
The Ivory Coast’s performance against Seychelles was a dominant display of attacking football. They created chances at will and finished them off with clinical precision.
Zaha was the star of the show, scoring four goals and setting up another. The Crystal Palace winger is one of the most talented players in Africa and he is a major threat to any defense.
Haller, Cornet, and Sangare were also impressive. Haller, who is on loan from Ajax, has scored five goals in his first three appearances for Ivory Coast. Cornet, who plays for Burnley, is a dangerous winger who can create chances or score goals himself. Sangare, who plays for PSV Eindhoven, is a strong and athletic midfielder who can break up play and start attacks.
The Elephants’ qualification hopes
The Ivory Coast are one of the favorites to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. They have a talented squad with a good mix of experience and youth.
Their perfect start to qualifying has put them in a strong position to reach the tournament. They will be looking to maintain their winning run against Malawi in January.
Impact on USA
The Ivory Coast are one of the most popular African teams in the United States. They have a large following of fans in the country, and their success is always well-received.
The Elephants’ win over Seychelles will be a boost to their popularity in the United States. It will also help to raise awareness of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Ivory Coast.
