Gervinho sees red as Ivory Coast fought from goal down to pick a point in their AFCON Group D opener.
Seydou Doumbia came from the bench to rescue a point for Ivory Coast despite Gervinho being sent off.
Guinea took the lead in the first half through Mohammed Yattara’s strike. Ivory Coast paraded a strong attacking line up with Wilfried Bony, Gervinho, Solomon Kalou and Yaya Toure in the mix.
AFCON15: Ivory Coast 1:1 Guinea (Group D)
Yattara made the most of some sloppy defending and put his country in the lead. A goal down and a man down, it was all set for an upset of the tournament so far. Ibrahima Traore saw his strike come off the cross bar adding to the scare for Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast played better in the second half. Bony played in substitute Doumbia who calmly finished the ball for the equaliser just about 18 minutes from time.
Both teams created few chance in the game. Guinea were on alert to stop a chance Gervinho created for Yaya Toure.
Former Arsenal man, Gervinho was the danger man for Ivory Coast in the early stages, his cross found Bony who saw his effort saved by Naby Yattara. The keeper tipped Gervinho’s effort from the rebound over the bar.
Kalou had his penalty claims waved away by referee Mehdi Abid Charef when he took on the Guinea defence. The Guinea defence felt the former Chelsea man had dived.
Mohammed Yattara pounced on a poor clearance by Serge Aurier nine minutes from the break to put his side ahead.
The second half started with Harve Renard’s men in the front foot. Bony unleashed a powerful left foot strike from long-range but Naby was equal to the task as he tipped the ball over the bar.
Yaya Toure was the next to come close, shooting wide from the edge of the area. Guinea did not allow the Ivory Coast settle into their rhythm.
Gervinho’s moment of madness got him sent off for an off the ball incident on Keita and at this point Ivory Coast problems went from bad to worse.
With 18 minutes still to play substitute Doumbia scored to rescue a point for Ivory Coast and save the continent from what would have been a real shock.
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