Max-Alain Gradel Places Ivory Coast In AFCON Quarters

Max-Alain Gradel scored the winner against Cameroon for the Ivory Coast in their final African Cup of Nations group match to advance his nation to the quarterfinals.

This was a match that both sides felt they had to win, and even though Cameroon did create some quality chances, the Ivorians were too much as they created more, but could only manage to score one.

Bony Wilfried once again impressed up top for his nation, as he could have scored once or twice and some might even say he should have earned a penalty for being tripped up in the area. The referees seem to let a lot go with him on the ball.

Yaya Toure is much lazier and not as motivated for his country. The heat may have played a factor, but his concise-passing, daring-shooting and vision were nowhere to be found. Usually, he has that uncanny ability to make something out of nothing. He needs to be better moving forward in this competition.

Next up for the Ivory Coast will be a quarterfinal matchup against Algeria. Both teams have world-class talent, decent coaches and a strong work-ethic on both ends of the ball. This one is truly a 50/50 toss-up, as their defense, midfield and offense are all on-point.

Bony will have to be smarter in front of frame and stay on his feet at all costs inside the final third. He will need to attempt more on frame to have a better chance of finding the back of the net. He can team up with Seydou Doumbia up top since they both know how to pass and score, while they are very good on the ball and can be targeted in the area as well.

Toure will need help in midfield, as Gervinho will perhaps be playing in this one as a winger or wide midfielder. He will be looked at to control the ball and start up counters, or even build-ups from the back.

As for Cameroon, they deserved to lose this match, as only a handful of players put everything they had onto the field, which was never going to be enough in a game with this much on the line. They will now have to rebuild for the next major tournament they take place in. Perhaps they need to switch formations and allow some younger guys to play so their energy level doesn’t drop as much.