Ivory Coast beat Comoros 2-0 in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification Group H match at the Stade Omnisports de Malouzini in Moroni on Tuesday night.
Therefore, the Elephants, who have already qualified by virtue of being tournament hosts, climbed to the top of the group standings, while the Coelacanths remained third on the table – six points behind second-placed Zambia with two games left.
The battle to qualify for the finals will continue in June this year when 2012 African champions Zambia play host to Ivory Coast and Comoros will be away to a winless Lesotho side.
The Elephants broke the deadlock in the 36th minute through PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare who made it 1-0 to visitors with a decent finish – his ninth goal for Ivory Coast.
The Coelacanths then pushed for the equalising goal, but Ivory Coast stood firm at the back and the West African giants were leading 1-0 at half time.
The visitors continued to attack after the restart and they doubled their lead to make it 2-0 through Franck Kessie who netted in the 58th minute with the Comoros defence exposed.
The goal sealed Ivory Coast’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Comoros who were outclassed by the two-time African champions on the night.
Comoros (0) 0
Ivory Coast (1) 2 (I. Sangare 36, Kessie 58′)
Comoros: Ahamada, Zahary, Soilihi (A.A Mohamed 68′), Bakari, M. Youssouf, Bachirou (Mahamoud 75′), Mchangama, Mohamed (Bourhane 59′), B. Youssouf (Djaha 75′), Selemani, I. Youssouf (Mogni 59′).
Ivory Coast: Folly, Singo (Doumbia 88′), Bailly, Aholou (Sylla 66′), Gbamin, Konan, Kessie, Diallo (Gradel 75′), I. Sangaré, Kouame (Krasso 66′), Haller (Boga 66′).
