Guessand hands Ivory Coast narrow Burundi win

03/21/2025 05:34 PM

Ivory Coast emerged as 1-0 winners over Burundi in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the Honneur Stadium in Morocco on Friday night.

The win elevated the Elephants to the top of the Group F standings – one point above second-placed Gabon. Coach Emerse Fae’s side will be eyeing another win when they host Gambia on 24 March.

The Swallows, on the other hand, are still placed third in the standings after registering their second defeat in Group F. The East African side will be keen to bounce back to winning ways when they host Seychelles on 25 March.

The Elephants launched most of their attacks down the wings, with their towering centre forwards Sebastien Haller and Evann Guessand being the focal point of the reigning African champions’ attack.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when a cross was played into the box and Haller set up Guessand, who fired past goalkeeper Jonathan Nahimana, and Ivory Coast were leading 1-0 at the interval.

The Swallows struggled to create chances after the restart and coach Patrick Sangwa Mayani decided to refresh his attack by introducing Abdallah Sudi and Omar Mussa as Burundi looked to equalise.

However, the Elephants were solid and compact at the back in the second-half as they contained the Swallows until match referee Samir Guezzaz blew the final whistle, and Ivory Coast emerged as 1-0 winners.

Burundi (0) 0
Ivory Coast (1) 1 (Guessand 16′)

Burundi: Nahimana, Niyukuri (Mussa 60′), Nsabiyumva, Nduwarugira, Weymans, Bizoza (Amissi 85′), Ndayishimiye, Bigirimana (Mossi 86′), Liongola, Bimenyimana (Sudi 60′), Mokono (Girumugisha 66′).

Ivory Coast: Fofana, Kamara (Diomande 82′), Singo, Agbadou (Akpa 65′), Douè, Guessand, Kessie, Aholou (Adingra 65′), Gbamin, Krasso (Sangare 65′), Haller (Bayo 78′).