Ivory Coast goalkeeper Jean Malick Ble Zadi saved two spot-kicks as Elephants secured a penalty shootout victory over Togo to book their place in the group stages of the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations.

The match ended 0-0 at the Cape Coast Stadium on Tuesday and it meant the tie was forced into a penalty shootout.

The Sparrow Hawks were the better side on a hot day with Ronals Zan Abi missing three great chances for a famous win for his side.

Messan Degli and Koidjo Sewonoy wasted chances early on, while goalkeeper Bassa Derji did well to save at Aka Essis’s feet on 18 minutes.

Ivory Coast almost took a shock lead just before the half-hour mark, but Thomas Gonazo headed wide with Senzo Meyiwa well beaten.

Gonazo missed another great chance just after the break after Togo failed to clear their lines, and then again on 69 minutes when N’Guessan was found in no-man’s land.

With Cissoko watching the game from the stands, Ivory Coast lacked creativity and this frustrated the strikers Diabate and Zan Abi, who seemed isolated.

The match ended 0-0 and went into the dreaded penalty shootout which Cote d’Ivoire won 4-3 after two saves from goalkeeper Jean Malick Ble Zadi

Teams:

Cote d’Ivoire: 1. Zadi, 2. Britto, 13. Konan, 4. Ouattara, 14. Jimoh, 9. N’Guessan (11. Guiagon 88’), 5. Aka Essis, 8. Diarra (12. Cissoko 85’), 10. Diabate, 3. Gonazo, 7. Zan Bi (15. N’Guessan 58’).

Togo: 16. Bassa-Djeri, 17. Adegnon, 3. Issifou, 5. Ouro-Sama, 11. Kouloun, 8. Agbegniadan, 6. Novon, 2. Atchou (9. Nya-Vedji 57’), 7. Degli (18. Akoro 69’), 14. Tchatakora, 12. Sewonou.