Sport
Africa cup of Nations 2012 Update: Ivory Coast 2 Burkina Faso 0
Ivory Coast Forward Salomon Kalou (C) is challenged by Burkina Faso Defender Saidou Mady-Panandetiguiri (R). PHOTO/Alexander Joe/AFP
The Ivory Coast managed to advance to the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations against minnows Burkina Faso but were made to work far harder than their status as pre-tournament favourites would have indicated. With Yaya Toure and Gervinho both more or less anonymous for the Elephants, Burkina Faso had plenty of the play and came very close to getting something out of the match.
It looked as though the game would be a cakewalk for the Ivory Coast in the very early stages when their Chelsea contingent linked up for a great goal, with Didier Drogba doing very well to get a cross away while under pressure from multiple defenders and Salomon Kalou finishing smartly on the half-volley. However, Burkina Faso slowly drew the sting out of the Ivory Coast’s attack, began to keep hold of the ball, and even made a few noises towards Boubacar Barry’s goal in the first half through long-range shots by Alain Traore.