The Elephants of Ivory Coast at the weekend hammered Gambia’s Scorpions 3-0 in the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers at the Independence Stadium in Bakau to secure a two-legged win over The Gambia.
An eleventh-minute first-half goal from Anzhi Makhachkala striker Lacina Traoré and two second-half goals from Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfred Bony and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré, who guided Ivory Coast to a comfortable 3-0 win away to Gambia at the Independence Stadium on Saturday.
The Scorpions created numerous goal-scoring opportunities with both Mustapha Jarju and Sanna Nyassi stroking the bars in each half but could not convert the various chances they had.
The Elephants have now completed a 6-0 aggregate win over the Scorpions and have now collected 10 points in four encounters while Gambia’s Scorpions are rooted at the bottom of the group with just a single point in four games.
Sabri Lamouchi, head coach of the Elephants of Ivory Coast, speaking to reporters at a press conference shortly after the game, said he was happy with the result but added that his side was a bit lucky for not conceding an early goal when Scorpions captain struck the stand bar.
He added that they prepared well for the game knowing it was not going to be easy,
They did not expect to win by 3-0 because big teams came to The Gambia and had it difficult, he remarked, saying mathematically they have not yet qualified.
His players did not relax during the game; rather they paid full concentration in spite of their first-leg win in Abidjan.
Didier Zakora, captain of the Elephants, said the team was happy with the win, adding that it was a difficult game for them.
The Scorpions played very well during the game, but Ivory Coast are more experienced, after taking part in two World Cups.
The experienced defender was also full of praise for Sulayman Marreh, saying he is a “very good” player.
Asked about the absence of their captain Didier Drogba, he said: “Drogba is one of the best strikers in the world but we have been winning without him.”
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