The Ivory Coast got the better of Niger this evening, to book the country’s spot at the 2022 African Cup of Nations.
Aurier stars
Patrice Beaumelle’s men were back in action a short time ago, in their penultimate AFCON group stage qualifier.
The Elephants headed into proceedings in need of a positive result, having been overtaken by Ethiopia at the summit of Group K earlier in the week.
And, when all was said and done at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché, secure a positive result is precisely what the visitors managed.
A dominant display eventually saw the Ivory Coast emerge on the right side of a 3-0 scoreline, to wrestle back top spot, and, in the process, secure their place at next year’s AFCON finals.
Serge Aurier proved the star of the show, directly contributing to all three goals, via two assists, and a finish of his own.
Elim Can 2022 5e journée : score final #Niger 0-3 #Civ
Buts de Aurier , Gradel et Kanon
La Côte d’Ivoire en tête de sa poule avec 10 points
Prochaine rencontre le mardi 30 mars 2021 face à l’Éthiopie (9 points) à 13h au stade d’ebimpe pic.twitter.com/6pBXcraQwJ— FIFCI (@FIFCI_tweet) March 26, 2021
Max Gradel and Wilfried Kanon were also on target in Niger, whilst Manchester United prodigy Amad Diallo was introduced off the bench late on, for his senior international debut.
PL stars set to depart
Whilst the Elephants’ qualification for the African Cup of Nations will of course mark a thrill for the likes of Aurier and Diallo, a host of Premier League clubs, on the other hand, may well now be dreading the tournament’s commencement.
The latest edition of African football’s most high-profile competition is set to kick off next January, midway through the English top-flight campaign.
In turn, the likes of Manchester United pair Diallo and Eric Bailly, Spurs’ Aurier, Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha and Arsenal wide-man Nicolas Pepe will all likely jet off for international duty at a crucial point in the 2021/22 season.
With the Ivory Coast expected to advance deep into the tournament, too, all five could be unavailable to their clubs for an extended period.
Everton tipped to reignite interest in Man United’s Diogo Dalot
Concern for Man United & Arsenal as Rashford and Saka depart national camp
