Cote D’Ivoire  held on from an early goal to defeat Gambia 1-0 in their World Cup qualifying fixture at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Monday evening.

The result catapulted the hosts to first position in the Group F standings, keeping them in contention for automatic qualification to the 2026 showpiece which is set to be hosted in North America next year.

The Elephants were bright from the early stages of the game and their confidence paid off in the 15th minute. After receiving a well taken cross by Simon Adingra, Sebastien Haller headed home confidently, giving the hosts a well-deserved early lead.

The Ivorians dominated possession, not giving Gambia a chance to get into their half as the match progressed.

More opportunities presented themselves for the home team, including a free-kick taken by Nicholas Pepe towards the end of the first half but the Gambians kept them out.

The Scorpions looked more alive in the second stanza, getting on the ball more and having their own share of possession.

Haller came close to doubling the hosts’ lead as he received a through ball from Jean-Phillippe Krasso, but his shot was well off target over the crossbar in the 70th minute.

Gambia’s Yankuba Minteh took advantage shortly afterwards as the Ivorians carelessly lost possession in the midfield. Unfortunately his shot was comfortably saved by Yahia Fofana, and the Scorpions did not find the equaliser.

Both teams made tactical substitutions as the final 30 minutes of play were underway, however none made enough of an impact to change the direction that the game was heading.

The battle continued between the two nations, but the Elephants held onto their lead to make sure they collected all three points in the Group F fixture in Abidjan.

Ivory Coast (1) 1 (Haller 15’)

Gambia (0) 0

Ivory Coast: Y. Fofana, W. Singo, J. Gbamin, O. Diomande, H. Kamara (C. Akpa 56’), I. Sangare (E. Agbadou 81’), F. Kessie, N. Pepe (E. Guessand 46’), M. Diomande (J. Krasso 68’), S. Adingra (O. Diakite 68’), S. Haller

Gambia: E. Jarju, A. Fadera (A. Sanyang 69’), O. Colley, S. Sinyan, M. Njie (A. Jatta 78’), J. Ceesay, M. Barrow, E. Adams (A. Manneh 85’), M. Bajo (A. Barry 78’), Y. Minteh, A. Ceesay (O. Gaye 46’)