The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
International Friendly Result
Uganda 0 Ivory Coast 3
Wilfried Zaha scored his first goal for African champions the Ivory Coast as they trounced Uganda 3-0 Wednesday in a warm-up match for the 2017 Cup of Nations.
The Crystal Palace and former England winger struck with a low shot after a superb solo run during the second half in Abu Dhabi.
Abidjan-born Zaha changed his international allegiance after making two friendly appearances for adopted homeland England.
Footballers who have not played a competitive match for a country are entitled to switch loyalties.
The 24-year-old flier has impressed in two outings for the Cup of Nations title-holders, creating the winner against Sweden during his debut three days ago.
Striker Jonathan Kodjia from English second-tier outfit Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain full-back Serge Aurier were the other Ivorian scorers after a goalless first half.
TWO OF THE GOALS:
#Amistoso ?? v ?? [ST 2-0] Jonathan Kodjia, de cabeza, anotó el 1-0 de #CostaDeMarfil frente a #Uganda pic.twitter.com/1AFhjL7nCc
— Camino a Rusia (@caminoarusia) January 11, 2017
#Amistoso ?? v ?? [ST 2-0] Wilfried Zaha tuvo su estreno en la red como jugador de #CostaDeMarfil y puso el 2-0 ante #Uganda pic.twitter.com/wOMlgHUEo4
— Camino a Rusia (@caminoarusia) January 11, 2017
Ivory Coast hope to become only the fourth country after Egypt, Ghana and Cameroon to successfully defend the African title when the 2017 tournament kicks off this Saturday in Gabon.
They are in Group C — arguably the toughest of the four mini-leagues — with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco and Togo.
After qualifying for a first appearance at the finals since finishing 1978 runners-up, Uganda tackle record seven-time champions Egypt, Ghana and Mali in Group D.
It is Uganda Cranes’ final game before they fly to Gabon for the Nations Cup final. Uganda is grouped with Ghana, Mali and Egypt.
Starting line-ups:
UGANDA: Onyango; Iguma, Awany, Wasswa, Ochaya, Mawejje, Kizito, Azira, Luwagga, Miya, Massa
IVORY COAST: Gbohouo; Aurier, Bailly, Kanon, Traoré; Seri, Dié, Kessie; Kalou, Kodjia, Zaha.
| 4 January 2017Friendly | Tunisia  |
2–0 |  Uganda |
Tunis, Tunisia |
|---|
| 6 January 2017Friendly | Slovenia  |
0–1 | Uganda |
Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
|---|
| 8 January 2017Friendly | Uganda |
3-1 |  Slovakia |
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
|---|
| 11 January 2017Friendly | Ivory Coast  |
3-0 | Uganda |
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
|---|
| 17 January 20172017 AFCON | Ghana  |
– | Uganda |
Port-Gentil, Gabon |
|---|
| 21 January 20172017 AFCON | Egypt  |
– | Uganda |
Port-Gentil, Gabon |
|---|
| 25 January 20172017 AFCON | Uganda |
– |  Mali |
LIVE FEED
AFCON FACTFILE: Uganda
Qualifying results: Botswana 2-0, 2-1, Comoros 1-0, 1-0; Burkina Faso 0-0, 0-1
Scorers: Khalid Aucho, Geofrey Massa, Tony Mawejje, Farouk Miya, Brian Umony, William Kizito 1 each
Overall record: P16 W3 D1 L12 F17 A31
Best placing: runners-up (1978)
Record win: Morocco 3-0 (1978)
Record loss: Algeria 0-4 (1968)
Africa-world rankings: 18 Africa 72 World
Nickname: Cranes
AFCON FACTFILE: Ivory Coast
Qualifying results: Sierra Leone 1-1 home, 0-0 away; Sudan 1-0, 1-1
Scorers: Gervinho, Max-Alain Gradel, Jonathan Kodjia 1 each
Overall record: P87 W39 D22 L26 F129 A94
Best placings: champions (1992, 2015)
Record wins: Ethiopia 6-1 (1970), Guinea 5-0 (2008)
Record losses: Ghana 1-4 (1965), Algeria 0-3 (1990), Cameroon 0-3 (2000), Egypt 1-4 (2008)
Africa-world rankings: 2 Africa 34 World
Nickname: Elephants
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Main report AFP
