WAFU Cup: Ivory Coast sail past Togo to reach group stage

Day four of the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations in Ghana wrapped-up the Last 16 matches with Cote d’Ivoire and Benin progressing to the group stages of the West African tournament on Tuesday, September 12.

It was not a day of spectacular goalmouth action, but it was nail-biting nonetheless with both games displaying solid goalkeeping performances.

The first game at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on day four saw the Elephants’ goalkeeper and captain, Jean Malick Ble Zadi produce numerous good saves to keep his side in the match against Togo which ended goalless after 90 minutes.

Ble Zadi was then the hero in the penalty shootout as well, making two saves and converting a spot-kick to see Cote d’Ivoire win 4-3 on penalties.

The second game on day four also looked to be producing no goals, that was until the 63rd minute when Ibrahim Ogoulola produced a rocket from just inside the box to give Benin the lead.

The match was over as a contest when Agnide Osseni scored in the 90th minute to hand the Squirrels a 2-0 win over Cape Verde.

With that the tournament will now move into the group stages.

Ghana, Guinea, Mali and Nigeria make up Group A while Senegal, Niger, Cote d’Ivoire and Benin make up Group B.

The next round of matches at the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations will take place at Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 14 with Group A in action – Mali will take on Nigeria at 15h00 (GMT) and Ghana will face Guinea at 18h00 (GMT).