AFCON 2021: Max Gradel's scorcher hands Ivory Coast win over Equatorial Guinea
12th January 2022
Ivory Coast captain Max Gradel scored a spectacular winner as the Elephants narrowly beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.
Ex-Bournemouth and Leeds forward Gradel lashed the two-time champions ahead from 20 yards with the outside of his right foot just five minutes in.
Equatorial Guinea had chances to level but Iban Salvador sliced their best one horribly wide from seven yards.
Badra Ali Sangare later saved from Emilio Nsue as Ivory Coast held out.
Patrice Beaumelle's side go top of Group E after defending champions Algeria drew with Sierra Leone on Tuesday.
Equatorial Guinea were unhappy with Gradel's opener in Douala, appealing for a foul on Jose Machin in the build-up, but referee Redouane Jiyed confirmed the goal would stand after consulting his pitchside monitor.
Ibrahim Sangare sent an unmarked header over as Ivory Coast threatened to double their lead. But the Equatoguineans, who have qualified for the tournament by right for the first time in their history - with their two previous appearances courtesy of being a home nation - grew in stature.
A Basilio Ndong shot was thwarted by Elephants keeper Badra - standing in for first-choice stopper Sylvain Gbohouo after he was banned on the eve of the tournament for an alleged doping violation - while Machin's sweetly-struck volley from 25 yards flew just wide.
They were left, however, to rue the costly miss from Salvador in the second half and Nicolas Pepe could have settled it, only for Equatorial Guinea keeper Manuel Sapunga Mbara to thwart the Arsenal forward with a fine fingertip save.
Substitute Wilfried Zaha also steered wastefully wide late on for Ivory Coast, but it was far from a statement performance from a side that last won the trophy in 2015, against opponents ranked 58 places below them.
This was the ninth to finish 1-0 as well as being the third of Wednesday's three fixtures to end that way after Mali's controversial victory over Tunisia and The Gambia's triumph over Mauritania.
Ivory Coast face Sierra Leone in their second game on Sunday at 16:00 GMT, while Equatorial Guinea take on Algeria later that evening (19:00 GMT).