Ivory Coast looked more like potential champions than any of their biggest rivals in the Africa Cup of Nations during their tournament debut, but they still needed a bit of luck to capture a 2-1 victory over Togo. They only turned their control of the match into a winning goal in the dying minutes, and needed a save from Boubacar Barry in the 94th minute to hang on to three points.
Ivory Coast vs. Togo, 2013 Africa Cup of Nations: Final score 2-1, Elephants sneak 3 points
While it was hardly comfortable, Ivory Coast looked solid in a victory over Togo.
Yaya Toure got Les Elephants off to a brilliant start with a comfortable finish from 12 yards in the 8th minute, with Gervinho providing the assist. Ivory Coast looked to be coasting to a halftime lead until the second minute of first half stoppage time, when Jonathan Ayite took advantage of some bad set piece marking to turn in a ball by Serge Gakpe.
Bad set piece marking was also a feature of the winner, punched in by Gervinho in the 88th minute. He got free at the far post and Togo goalkeeper Kossi Agassa got caught way out of position, gifting him a free tap-in on a cross by Yaya Toure.
Barry came up with a huge reaction save from close range in the final minute of stoppage time, preserving his team’s win.
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