Ivory Coast progressed to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-0 win over a poor Cameroon team. Gradel’s thunderbolt of a goal in the second half was all it took for The Elephants to win the group.
The first chance of the game came in the fifth minute when Aurier burst into the Cameroon box and crossed the ball into Bony, but the striker could only watch as the ball bounced off his thigh and the ball was eventually cleared out for a corner. Cameroon then had a chance of their own as Mandjeck header just went over after a great cross from a Moukandjo’s free-kick.
Ivory Coast again had a great chance to open the scoring in the 19th minute as Aurier headed from close range but Ondoa did brilliantly to deny the PSG fullback. But with 10 minutes to go from half-time, Gradel opened the scoring with a thunderbolt of a strike from 25-yards-out to beat Ondoa who had been on fine form all game, however the speed and power of Gradel’s shot was just too much for the 19-year-old and the ball buried into the top right corner. Cameroon responded well to Gradel’s net busting goal when Salli fired from close range but Gbohouo made a good low save to keep Ivory Coast’s lead alive, moments later Doumbia sprinted through on goal and picked out an on running Serge Aurier on the edge of the penalty box but the right back’s shot was too weak and Ondoa made an easy save. The final chance of the game came to Salli once again, the Académica Coimbra winger managed to round Kolo Toure after a great first touch but the 21-year-old fired way over the bar.
The second half of the vital AFCON match had the atmosphere and intensity of a pre-season friendly, both sides looked disinterested in the game, finally in the in 65th minute there was a shot on goal as Wilfred Bony fought his way past two Cameroon defenders to get a shot off from inside the box but the shit went straight to Ondoa, Bony was also brought down in the penalty box after the shot was taken but no penalty was awarded.