There was no doubt at all that the favourites to win this year’s Africa Cup of Nations were always going to win this game, but few suggested it would be this easy.
After a slow, evenly matched first 20 minutes the Ivory Coast took control of the game. Kader Keita put the Elephants ahead in the first half. But it wasn’t until 20 minutes from the end that Guinea heads dropped and the Ivory Coast scored four more. Chelsea’s Didier Drogba made it 2-0, followed by two goals form Chelsea’s Salomon Kalou, before Bakary Kone’s 20-yard thunderbolt completed the rout.
Guinea were always going to be second favourites here, especially as they were missing suspended captain Pascal Feindouno and the influential former Celtic centreback Bobo Balde.
The Ivory Coast will now play either Egypt (which would be a repeat of the previous final in 2006) or Angola in the semi-finals; and remian favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations 2008.
The final is to be held on 10th February.
1 comment so far
1 hatchette // Feb 7, 2008 at 11:48 am
The africa cup ofnations has been fantastic and great teams have made it to teh semi-final stage.
I have been enjoying teh matches in a great atmosphere as there are free screenings of teh games at Juno bar shoreditch and bernie grant art centre (seven sisters).
Cannot wait for the final, hopefully Ivory coast will be able to get their revenge against Egypt.