Connect with us

Guinea national soccer team collected maximum three points on Saturday in the opening Group H match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after clipping Ivory Coast 3-2 at Bouake Stadium.

A brace from Sedyou Doumbia was not enough to secure Elephants a win as the visitors struck back twice before they scored a late winner through Naby Keita.

Ivory Coast took the lead as the early as the 14th minute when un marked Doumbia sturk a  brilliant cross from the right flank.

In the 32nd minute,the Syli Nationale got an equalizer through Sadio Diallo long range shot from over 25 yards found the back of the net to make it 1-1 at half time.

Diallo should have added the third and his second on the day in the 44th minute but his shot towards an empty net after Ivory Coast custodian had miscued a back pass from his defender fell on a flood patch in the goal allowing Guinea defender to clear danger.

Come second half, Guinea came with new ideas as they kept the Ivory Coast on a tight rope but their striking force lacked composure.

Despite pressure from the Guinea , it was Ivory Coast which got on
the score sheet again Doumbai s powerful shot in the 67th minute after a cross hit the back of the net before Guinea pulled one back in the 68th minute through Francois Kamaono after Ivory Coast goalie failed to stop a cross from the right flank.

The Syli Nationale silenced the home crowd by getting their winning goal of the match in the 80th minute when Naby Keita underlined his class with a goal to put Guinea 3-2 up.

The result allowed Guinea to claim top spot in the group with three points and put the Elephants in early strife on the road to Cameroon.

The second Group H game of the weekend will see Central African Republic host Rwanda in Bangui on Sunday afternoon.

More in