Ivorians Shaken By Guinea

The Ivory Coast needed a second-half equaliser by substitute Seydou Doumbia to rescue a point after Guinea had struck first through Mohammed Yattara in their opening Group D African Cup of Nations (Afcon) game in Malabo.
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Ivory Coast were down to ten men when Gervinho was sent off in the second half, but Doumbia lifted their spirits with a well-worked leveller to cancel out Mohammed Yattara’s volleyed goal against the run of play.
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As expected Guinea were happy to sit back and allow Ivory Coast to keep the ball and do all the thinking while they looked for gaps on the counter attack.
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It took a while until the Ivorians got their first real chance on goal when Gervinho’s run into the danger area ended in a shot that rocketed off the crossbar and into safety on 17 minutes.
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Ivory Coast continued to ask the questions, but found Guinea quite happy to defend and clear away the danger using wingers Traore and Conte to break away at speed.
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In the 35th minute Gervinho made a good run from the left inside and towards goal, but as he pulled the trigger he scuffed his shot and the ball went straight to the keeper with little power.
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Then, a minute later and totally against the run of play, Guinea took the lead with a fantastic strike. Mohammed Yattara was at the back post and pounced to volley home a loose ball after a mistake by Serge Aurier who headed a deep cross right into his path instead of out for a corner.
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Five minutes into the second half and Wilfried Bony came close to the target. He took one touch to control the ball, turned and struck a volley just over the bar.
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Then in the 56th minute Yaya Toure managed a snap shot on his left foot, but the effort was well wide of the upright.
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Two minutes later and the frustration of the Ivorians came to the fore when Gervinho was red carded for an off-the-ball incident where he lashed out at his opponent.
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In the 72nd minute Ivory Coast were back in the contest when substitute Seydou Doumbia slotted home after great work by Bony who took a pass on the chest and volleyed the ball to Doumbia in space.
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Guinea pressed hard for a winning goal and showed why they will be a team to watch at Afcon 2015.