This Monday evening, the Ivorian selection, organizing country, faced its heaviest defeat of all time during the CAN against Equatorial Guinea (0-4). The elephants led by Jean-Louis Gasset are about to be eliminated.

After an inaugural victory against Guinea-Bissau, winner of the first CAN match (2-0), Côte d’Ivoire suffered two consecutive defeats, first against Nigeria (0-1), then total humiliation against Equatorial Guinea, in a match where nothing smiled on Seko Fofana’s teammates.

Despite their domination, the Ivorians conceded the first Guinean goal through Emilio Nsue just before the break. Jean-Louis Gasset’s players were able to equalize twice, but VAR ultimately refused both goals for offside. The Elephants then collapsed in two minutes (73rd and 75th), before conceding a fourth goal at the end of the match.

“On calls for a disaster scenario”

After the meeting, Jean-Louis Gasset spoke particularly into the microphones. “In life, there are nightmare matches,” said the former coach of the Girondins de Bordeaux. “We conceded a goal a minute before half-time on the only chance the opponent had. We dominated the game, we had chances, but we went into half-time with a 0-1 deficit. It’s already difficult. In the second half, it’s the same scenario, we are dominant, the chances arrive, the goals are scored then refused. On the allure of a disaster scenario. I don’t think it has to do with mindset. When you see children wearing these clothes, I believe it. We tried, we gave everything, I think. When you have a scenario like this, almost a nightmare, there is not much to say or do. »

Ivorian players are accompanied by security forces to leave the pitch at Ebimpé stadium #beINCAN2023 #beINEXPERIENCE #AFCON2023pic.twitter.com/jnSMWX4CD2

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Given that the four best third-placed teams qualify for the round of 16, Ivory Coast is not yet officially eliminated, but an extremely favorable combination of circumstances would be necessary.