Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers live: Ivory Coast edge stubborn Niger

It was an absolute pleasure bringing you this live coverage of tonight's match. Until we meet again next time, goodbye.&nbsp;

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<p>Ivory Coast have joined Madagascar at the top of the Group K standings.</p> <p>The action will continue on Tuesday with Madagascar hosting Niger, while Ivory Coast will be away to Ethiopia.</p>

Focus Turns To Tuesday 

Full-Time 

The fourth official has added five minutes.

Stoppage Time

<p>Niger are now pushing for a late equalising goal with Ivory Coast having replaced goalscorer Kessie with Ibrahim Traore.</p> <p>However, the hosts are still attacking as they look to double their lead and seal a victory.<br> &nbsp;</p>

ANALYSIS

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="fr">Les <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/El%C3%A9phants?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Eléphants</a> rendent hommage à Capitaine Serey Die <a href="https://t.co/dZCB9VWp9a">pic.twitter.com/dZCB9VWp9a</a></p> — FIFCI (@FIFCI_tweet) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFCI_tweet/status/1195797660403478528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ivory Coast Paid Tribute To Serey Die 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="fr">Goal alert <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Elim?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Elim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAN2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAN2021</a> - 1ère journée - Poule K<br> <br> 69e : <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CIV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CIV</a> 1-0 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Niger?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Niger</a> ouverture du score par Franck Kessie sur penalty</p> — FIFCI (@FIFCI_tweet) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFCI_tweet/status/1195802386889138176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

GOOOOAAAAAALLLLL! 

Ivory Coast are awarded their second penalty after one of the Niger defenders is adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

Penalty To Ivory Coast

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gradel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gradel</a> misses a penalty for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IvoryCoast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IvoryCoast</a> in their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2021AFCONq?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2021AFCONq</a> against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Niger?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Niger</a> - after controversially taking the ball from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arsenal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Arsenal</a>'s Pepe who had won the pen and wanted to take it. <a href="https://t.co/I5lz6Nuvvk">https://t.co/I5lz6Nuvvk</a></p> — Nishat Ladha (@NishatL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NishatL/status/1195798833940357121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Goalkeepers whenever Max Gradel is about to take a Pk. <a href="https://t.co/Z8neLI6cDg">pic.twitter.com/Z8neLI6cDg</a></p> — Pluto. (@Ghost_Skills) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ghost_Skills/status/1195796115477684229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Gradel Is Not Having A Good Game 

<p>Niger are sticking with their game plan as they continue to defend too deep and launch quick counter attacks.</p> <p>However, they are yet to seriously test Sylvain Gbohouo in the Ivory Coast goal-posts.</p>

Second Half

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/w68zN5Zh4G">pic.twitter.com/w68zN5Zh4G</a></p> — FIFCI (@FIFCI_tweet) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFCI_tweet/status/1195793559020089344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Half-Time 

<p>Pressure is mounting on the Niger defence and Daouda continues to frustrate the hosts as we approach the half-time break.</p> <p>Pepe and Gradel have both been denied by the towering goalkeeper as Niger continue to defend too deep.</p>

<p>Daouda produces a great save to deny Max Gradel from the spot-kick.</p> <p>It remains goalless as we approach the half-hour mark.</p>

Great Save

Ivory Coast are awarded a penalty after Nicolas Pepe was fouled in the Niger box.

<p>The hosts are dominating possession with Franck Kessie looking lively in midfield.</p> <p>However, Ibrahim Kamara's men are yet to seriously test Niger goalkeeper Kassaly Daouda.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/VNlffafdKN">pic.twitter.com/VNlffafdKN</a></p> — FIFCI (@FIFCI_tweet) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFCI_tweet/status/1195779444151062529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kick-Off 

<p>Didier Drogba has confirmed that he rejected the opportunity to return to Chelsea this summer as he instead hopes to become president of the Ivory Coast FA.</p> <p>The former Stamford Bridge hitman retired a year ago after a busy end to his career, which saw him spend spells at Shanghai Shenhua, Galatasaray, Chelsea, the Montreal Impact and Phoenix Rising.</p> <p>Now, though, he wants to return to his homeland and give something back to the game. Read the story <a href="http://bit.ly/2Xjkt6l" target="_blank">here</a></p>

Drogba Is Keen To Help Ivory Coast

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="fr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Elim?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Elim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAN2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAN2021</a> - 1ère journée - Poule K<br> La feuille de match <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/C%C3%94TE_DIVOIRE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CÔTE_DIVOIRE</a> vs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NIGER?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NIGER</a> <a href="https://t.co/LceQPYLQ24">pic.twitter.com/LceQPYLQ24</a></p> — FIFCI (@FIFCI_tweet) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFCI_tweet/status/1195769309412413440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Team News 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="fr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Civ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Civ</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Niger?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Niger</a> , les éléphants saluent le Felicia<br> 🇨🇮🇨🇮 <a href="https://t.co/uSoAsZebY8">pic.twitter.com/uSoAsZebY8</a></p> — FIFCI (@FIFCI_tweet) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFCI_tweet/status/1195763019957067777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Elephants Have Arrived 

Madagascar are placed at the top of the Group K standings and Ivory Coast will also be keen to start their qualifying campaign with a win.

What It Means

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">FULL-TIME!<br> <br> 2021 AFCON Qualifier<br> <br> Madagascar 🇲🇬 1-0 🇪🇹 Ethiopia<br> [Rayan Arnaldo Raveloson]<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFCON2021Q?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AFCON2021Q</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MADETH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MADETH</a></p> — N U H U 🐝 (@NuhuAdams_) <a href="https://twitter.com/NuhuAdams_/status/1195716918818353152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Today's Result 

Hi everyone, welcome to our live coverage of Saturday's Afcon 2021 qualifiers. We will be focusing on the Group K clash between Ivory Coast and Niger. I am Austin Ditlhobolo, and I will be your host this evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Welcome! 

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Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers live: Ivory Coast edge stubborn Niger | Goal.com South Africa

The Elephants of Ivory Coast began their Afcon 2021 qualifying campaign with a victory over Niger on Saturday night