The Ivory Coast had a splendid opportunity to send rivals Nigeria out of the African Cup of Nations. Instead they did the Super Eagles a huge favour by beating Mali 3-0, and Nigeria qualified by virtue of their 2-0 over Reinhard Fabisch’s Benin. If Nigeria had failed to qualify , it would have been their first group stage elimination since 1982.
Some fans are going so far as to say that Ivory Coast have shot themselves in the foot and will come to regret this decision later in the tournament. Nigeria were one of the pre tournament favourites after all.
The same would have been said had they allowed Mali to qualify and lost to them later in the tournament. :p
Ivory Coast do end up with an all win record from the Group of Death.
And now, to wait for the game between Ghana and Nigeria.