AFCON winner cruises against Sierra Leone

Ivory Coast defeated Sierra Leone 4-1 to rack up a third straight win in Group G of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

A double from Franck Kessie and singles from Nicolas Pepe and Oumar Diakite, gave the Elephants the win. The result also saw the hosts move five points clear of second-placed Zambia at the top of the standings.

The AFCON champions are close to sealing their spot in Morocco, in a bid to to defend their title.

Ivory Coast got off to a flying start with an early goal in the second minute of the game. Jean-Philippe Krasso teed up Nicolas Pepe to sweep home a low, left-footed shot and put the hosts in early control.

The former Arsenal man was influential again in the 35th minute as he was tripped up to earn the hosts a penalty. However, Franck Kessie missed from 12 yards as he rattled the frame of the goal.

Sierra Leone fought back for an equaliser as Hindolo Mustapha squared from the right for Alhassan Koroma to fire home.

The Elephants reclaimed the lead six minutes into the second half, displaying their dominance over their opponents. Seko Fofana’s cross found Kessie, who made up for his earlier penalty miss with a well-placed header for 2-1.

Ivory Coast won another penalty after a clumsy challenge from goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara on Beni Traore. Kessie stepped up once again and made no mistake this time, as he got his second in the game.

Another penalty arrived just over 10 minutes later. This time, Oumare Diakite stepped up to make it 4-1, putting the game beyond reach for Sierra Leone.

The teams will face off again in a return match on Tuesday 15 October, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, Liberia.