Serge Aurier Scores an Own Goal in Ivory Coast’s Defeat to Zambia
Ivory Coast suffered a 3-0 defeat to Zambia in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, with Serge Aurier scoring an own goal that opened the scoring for Zambia. The Nottingham Forest and former Tottenham full-back intercepted a clever through-ball from Emmanuel Banda, but his forceful interception caused a spinning clearance that fooled goalkeeper Charles Folley, who fumbled the ball into his own net. Manchester United’s Eric Bailly also had a shocker for Daka’s goal, possessing a good five yards on the striker from a long ball but eventually being tackled in the area with Daka prodding home.
Aurier’s Own Goal
Aurier’s own goal was the first goal of the match and set the tone for Ivory Coast’s defeat to Zambia. Despite playing for Ivory Coast, Aurier’s last ditch interception from outside the area incredibly went up and over his own goalkeeper. It was a forceful interception that caused a spinning clearance that fooled goalkeeper Charles Folley, who fumbled the ball into his own net. The goal opened the scoring for Zambia and set them on their way to a 3-0 victory.
Bailly’s Shocking Tackle
Manchester United’s Eric Bailly also had a shocker for Daka’s goal, possessing a good five yards on the striker from a long ball but eventually being tackled in the area with Daka prodding home. Bailly arguably had as big a shocker as Aurier, trying to chest the ball down instead of clearing it, causing chaos and allowing Daka to prod the ball into the net.
AFCON Qualifiers
The win saw Avram Grant’s Zambia leapfrog their opponents and move to the top of Group H in qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite its name, the 34th edition of AFCON will take place in 2024 from January 13 to February 11. That means it will overlap with the European club season, something which organisers tried to avoid by scheduling it for this summer. However, rain in host country Ivory Coast made a June and July tournament impossible, with the dates changed a year ago.
Conclusion
Serge Aurier’s own goal and Eric Bailly’s shocking tackle were the highlights of Ivory Coast’s 3-0 defeat to Zambia in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Despite playing for Ivory Coast, Aurier’s last ditch interception from outside the area incredibly went up and over his own goalkeeper. Manchester United’s Eric Bailly also had a shocker for Daka’s goal, trying to chest the ball down instead of clearing it, causing chaos and allowing Daka to prod the ball into the net. The win saw Avram Grant’s Zambia leapfrog their opponents and move to the top of Group H in qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.