NEWS

08-07-2009

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Subject : Africa Sport claim Ivorian Cup
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Africa Sports claimed their 14th Ivorian Cup title on Thursday by beating bitterest rivals ASEC Mimosas 2-1 at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan.

The long awaited encounter involving the two biggest football clubs in Cote d’Ivoire really lived up to its billing as fans were kept on their toes throughout the match.

ASEC, 16-times winners of the annual competition had a promising start and ended the first half in the lead courtesy Késsé Mangoua’s 23rd minute effort.

Africa Sports resumed the second half strongly and Karamoko Comara took advantage of a blunder on the defence of ASEC to level up on 67 minutes. A minute on, Burkinabae referee Pare Lassina dished out red cards to a player each from both sides Yao Koaussi Martial (ASEC) and Karamoko (Africa Sports) for violating fair play.

As the clock ticked by, Dalla Coulibaly capitalised on another mishap by the ASEC defence to slot home the match winner in the closing stages of the game.

Since the inception of Ivorian Cup, it was the fifth time the country’s most supported clubs were meeting in the grand finale after 1962, 1969, 1997 and 2003.

The victory for Africa Sports, their first since beating RFC Daoukro in 2002 puts them two titles adrift of rivals ASEC.

Quotes
Maxime Gouaméné, coach of ASEC Mimosas
“It's unfortunate that we lost the final despite beating Africa Sports twice this season. We played as usual, but we were not productive. It was an open game and Africa Sports took their chances. They deserve their victory.”

Gianni Borteleto, coach of Africa Sports
“We were jostled in the first 20 minutes but we were able to react to contain them after the goal. Even as ASEC had beaten us twice this year, the game was not over. This time we had a great response and our pride was at stake.”