African News

Cote d'Ivoire v Tunisia ratings

Gervinho: Star performance

Take a look at our player breakdown of Ivory Coast and Tunisia during their Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash.

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Cote d'Ivoire

Boubacar Barry: Had a composed game at the back but was never really called into action, but did stand firm to keep out a late volley, although the ball had been hit straight at the keeper. 7/10

Emmanuel Eboue: Looked inventive when going forward and was easily able to keep pace with the Tunisian strikers when called upon in defence. Put in some decent deliveries and won his side several free-kicks. 6/10

Sol Bamba: Pulled the strings in defence and was able to rise to each challenge that came his way, while also providing a good platform when building from the back. 7/10

Siaka Tiene: Did well to command in the area and looked solid when defending in the air and on the ground. 6/10

Didier Zokora: Another solid performance at the back, winning everything in the air while also playing some good forward passes from defence. 7/10

Cheick Tiote: Made a vital interception when the score was still only 1-0, while he used his strength to good effect as Tunisia pushed forward in numbers. 7/10

Yaya Toure: Had a relatively quiet afternoon up until scoring the second, but hardly put a foot wrong throughout the 90 and will be pleased with his contribution. 7/10

N'Dri Romaric: Was unable to make his mark on the game but showed some solid passing in the midfield, but was ultimately sacrificed in the second-half. 5/10

Gervinho: Another outstanding performance from the Arsenal man, who scored one and created another, while also having seen a would-be assist ruled out incorrectly for off-side. 8/10

Salomon Kalou: Worked tirelessly in attack but lacked a killer instinct after wasting several clear-cut opportunities in the final third, while when he finally got the ball in the back of the net it was incorrectly ruled out for an earlier off-side. 6/10

Lacina Traore: Had a decent amount of chances to score but looked jaded at times, although he won plenty of balls in the opposition area but was eventually substituted in the second-half. 7/10

Substitutes:

Didier Ya Konan: Had an instant impact after coming on in the final minutes, scoring his side's third with virtually his first touch of the ball. 6/10

Didier Drogba: Was cheered with every touch he made but was largely unable to effect the game after coming on in the 67th minute, although added more composure to Ivory Coast's attack. 5/10

Max Gradel: Was unable to make much of an impact after coming on in the final 10 minutes, but will be pleased to have gotten a run out with still plenty of this tournament to go. 5/10

Tunisia:

Moez Ben Cherifia: Had a fairly composed day between the sticks but eventually caved to an intense late barrage from the opposition. 5/10

Anis Boussaidi: Played solidly at the back and was able to keep pace with the game, but was caught on the back-foot too many times, allowing the Elephants to push forward down the wings. 5/10

Aymen Abdennour: Had a really good first-half for the Tunisians with some decent aerial challenges and even more impressive sliding tackles, but faded out in the second period as Ivory Coast took control. 6/10

Khalil Chemmam: Was unable to really help his side when going forward as he preferred to focus on keeping the likes of Gervinho and Kalou quiet on the wings. 5/10

Wissem Ben Yahia: Lacked purpose in the middle of the park in the first-half but came more to life in the second, although his impact was limited throughout the tie. 5/10

Mejdi Traoui: Had a quiet game in midfield but played some decent passes and through-balls, although too many were over the top and too little effect. 6/10

Khaled Mouelhi: Worked tirelessly in the middle of the pitch and was full of running, but was unable to find that killer pass for his strikers to run on to. 6/10

Chadi Hammami: Did some decent work on the wings and didn't stop running for his side, although his delivery was lacking both in the air and on the ground. 5/10

Youssef Msakni: Tunisia's best player on the day as he hassled and harried the opposition defence right from the off, but lacked the final ball in the last third and was ultimately unable to make the breakthrough for his side. 8/10

Fakhereddine Ben Youssef: Looked dangerous in the air and won a number of balls in the box, but lacked the killer finish as he let the Elephants off on too many occasions. 7/10

Saber Khelifa: Always a threat in attack and got himself into some dangerous positions, but was wasteful when handed the chance to level matters, firing his volley straight at the keeper after finding himself unmarked in the area. 7/10

Substitutes:

Hamdi Harbaoui: Was full of running after coming on in the second-half and worked tirelessly for his side, but was unable to find a telling ball when pushing forward in attack. 6/10

Oussama Darragui: Was given 45 minutes to change the game and settled into the game well, but like most of his team-mates was lacking in the final third as the Tunisians proved fruitless in the end. 5/10

Zouheir Dhaouadi: Worked the ball well in the middle of the park as he looked to provide more of an avenue for the side, but was unable to effect the game in a more positive manner. 5/10

Posted: 26/01/13 18:10