Ivory Coast 3-1 Ghana: Elephants seal passage to quarters

(GSM) – Tournament favorites Ivory Coast became the first team to reach this year’s African Nations Cup last eight after beating Ghana 3-1 with 10 men in Group B on Friday.

A Didier Drogba header in the last minute finished off the Black Stars after Gervinho put the Ivorians ahead at the Chiazi National Stadium in the first half and Siaka Tiene added another midway through the second.

But Elephants’ task was made harder when Arsenal’s Emmanuel Eboue received his marching orders for a two-footed challenge as Ghana failed to take advantage.

The win put Ivory Coast, held 0-0 by Burkina Faso in their opening game, top of the group with four points from two games. Burkina Faso are second with one point and Ghana, playing their first game in the three-team group, are third.

Ghana got a consolation goal with a stoppage-time penalty by Asamoah Gyan. Ghana must beat Burkina Faso in Luanda on Tuesday to progress.