CHAN 2016: Ivory Coast thrash Cameroon to reach semi-final

Ivory Coast advanced to the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) semi-finals after thrashing Cameroon 3-0 on Saturday evening.

The CHAN quarter-final encounter was played at the Stade Huye in Butare, Rwanda.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast dominated the opening stages of the game as they managed to keep the Indomitable Lions defence very busy.

Ivory Coast striker Frank Djedje Guiza fired the first shot on target just four minutes into the game, but Cameroon goalkeeper Patrick Hugo Nyame made a good save.

At the other end, Indomitable Lions shot-stopper Ali Badra Sangare was forced to make a save from Yao Serge N'Guessan's well-taken free-kick in the 17th minute.

Guiza found some space to unleash a long range effort on the half-hour mark, but his attempt failed to trouble Nyame as the ball sailed over the cross-bar.

Cameroon came very close to finding the opening goal on the stroke of half-time, but Nicolas Brice Moumi fired Jonathan Joseph Ngwem's cross inches wide of the target.

The Indomitable Lions had a chance to take the lead again five minutes after the restart. However, Moumi placed his effort from a free-kick over the goal-posts.

The first substitute took place on the hour-mark when Cameroon midfielder Stephen Kingue Mpondo was replaced Aaron Mbimbe II.

In the 73rd minute, Ivory Coast defender Marcelin Koffi headed the ball wide of the target following a corner-kick as the Ivorians looked to break the deadlock.

With three minutes left on the clock, Moumi was presented with a great opportunity to grab the winning goal. However, he fired wide of the target.

The match ended 0-0 and the two teams headed for extra-time at the Huye Stadium.

The Elephants dominated the entire extra-time period and they scored three times.

Koffi Davy Mahinde opened the scoring in the 94th minute with a good finish much to the delight of the Ivorian fans.

Then the Elephants doubled their lead in the 99th minute when Hemann Djobo finished with aplomb with the keeper well-beaten.

Serge N'Guessan sealed Ivory Coast's 3-0 victory with a beautiful a goal in the 111th minute.