Cote d’Ivoire joined hosts Rwanda into the quarter finals thanks to a 4-1 drubbing over Gabon in their Group A ultimate fixture on Sunday in Huye.
The victory was enough to earn ‘Les Elephants’ a place at the knockout stage at the expense of Morocco, who thumped the host nation 4-1 in the other encounter in Kigali.
The Ivorians finished second in the group with six points, same as the Amavubi, who topped the group courtesy superior goals. Morocco and Gabon finished in that order with four and one point respectively.
At least a point was enough to land ‘Les Elephants’ a place at the last eight, but they secured their place in grand style with a convincing win over their Gabonese counterparts, who exited the competition with just a point from three games.
An improved second half performance from the West Africans made the difference, leading to three goals.
Man of the Match, Aka Essis’ 19th minute low shot strike separated the two sides at the interval. Gabon replied through Franck Obambou, who headed home from a corner on 51 minutes.
Striker Djedje Guiza restored the Ivorians lead on 65 minutes who a shot that Gabon goalie Yves Bitseki forced into his net before substitute Koffi Boua took the game beyond the opponents with the third goal on 77 minutes.
Lanky forward Nilmar Ble completed the rout with the fourth goal six minutes from time.
In Kigali, the Atlas Lions were simply too much for the hosts in a game that saw all five goals in the first half.
The Moroccans shot into a two goal lead through Abdelghani Mouaoui on 16 minutes and Mohamed Aziz eight minutes later.
On 27 minutes Hegman Ngomirakiza reduced the deficit but the North Africans will score the third courtesy a Abdeladim Khadrouf header on 38 minutes.
Mouaoui completed his brace with the fourth goal just before the break to give his side a commanding lead at recess.
The second half saw an improved Rwanda but they failed to reduce the goal margin as Morocco cruised to victory, yet not enough to take them into the quarters.
Orange Man of the Match
Morocco vs Rwanda: Abdelghani Mouaoui (Morocco)
Cote d’Ivoire vs Gabon: Aka Essis
Zamfoot; correction, Rwanda topped the group due to head to head and not goal difference.
No Zamfoot is correct. Ivory Coast is on top with 7 points whilst Rwanda is on 6 points.
Billy Ivorycoast finished second with 6 points. They were beaten by Rwanda in the opening game so how could they have 7 pts?
http://www.cafonline.com/en-us/competitions/chan2016/standings
Check the link mudala.
Oh OK, I hear you bro. IC has 6 points just like Rwanda. But according to SS Football website, they are topping the group and Rwanda is second.
Check also http://www.supersport.com/football/chan-2016/logs
Lol!!!! Thos South Africans never learn. CAF relies on head to head and not goal difference. This is the same craziness that had them celebrating non-qualification. Lol
@Billy Lol!!!! Thos South Africans never learn. CAF relies on head to head and not goal difference. This is the same craziness that had them celebrating non-qualification. Lol
True my brother.
Wich are the possible teams to meet in the quarter finals for us ?
which seven points? The elephants lost their first game to Rwanda a goal to nill. we’re did they get their seventh point? they got three points from both Morocco and Gabon which comes to six. Rwanda tops the group on head to head with Ivory Coast whom they beat on the first game of the tournament