Abidjan — The "Elephants" of Cote d'Ivoire are out of the African Nations Championship (Chan) after conceding a second defeat, this time at the hands of the "Taifa Stars" of Tanzania. (1-0)
Ivorian teams have always failed to do well when the country plays host to a major African tournamant. After the failures of 1984, when the country hosted the African Cup of Nations, the country is again in a state of disillusionment following the elimination of its side in the inaugural Chan tournament.
"I have to congratulate my Tanzanian colleague," said Ivorian coach Kouadio Georges after the game. "We tried to play attacking football so we introduced our best players with a view to attacking our adversary. This unfortunately didn't work out. Our attackers were kept away from our opponents' 18-yard area. At the end we lost. This is unfortunate."
His words sounded like an admission of weakness, portraying an air of frustration as though the world was collapsing beneath his feet. His boys proved incapable of fulfilling the country's ambitions or handling the pressure for victory. This without a doubt can be attributed to inadequate preparation, the premature expatriation of the best elements of its local talent and also opponents who proved tougher than expected.
Notwithstanding starting the game well, with numerous attacks aimed at pulling themselves out of the precarious position in which they found themselves after the first game, the team stumbled when its play-maker, the young Alasane Karamako from Asec d'Abidjan, failed to find his teammates with his passes.
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The first half hour of the game was totally dominated by the Ivorians. Ngossan Antoine Jean Ettienne and Tanoh Jean Alain Elisée showed a combination of speed and quickness but also exhibited clumsiness in front of goal. They failed to convert on numerous occasions after the first quarter. The Ivorian spectators, partly reconciling with the team that lost earlier this week, lent their support but this did not help the players to find the net.
Against the run of play, Tanzania utiliized its only chance and found the net when Ngassa Mrisho Alfani beat the Elephants' keeper with a splendid dive, making the score 1-0 in the 38th minute.
When this happened, it was as if a ghost had just passed through the stadium. The silence was like that of a cathedral, except for the noise from the handful of Tanzanian supporters.
The Tanzanians were happy to maintain their lead up until the break.
The second half was a one-sided affair with the Ivorians dominating. They had no shortage of opportunities and tried everything, but were still unable to find the net. But it had been decreed that they were not going to go pass the first round and - despite public support and gesticulation from the bench - they went down - and out.
Their final game against Senegal is just a formality. Henceforth, the two tickets for the second round will be fought for by Zambia, Senegal and Tanzania.
Translated from the original French by Michael Tantoh.
