The Elephants of Ivory Coast failed to pick the three maximum points from the Sparrow Hawks of Togo after drawing goalless in their Group C opener at Stade d’Oyem.
The two West Africa countries battled each other in a balanced game with few chances coming in each team’s way but none of them could place the ball behind the net.
Ivory Coast being the defending champions were aggressive on the day with key players likes Zaha and substitute Winfred Bonney all wasting glorious opportunities.
In the dying embers of the game Ivorian Kodjia toe-poke was well stopped at close range by Togo goalkeeper Kossi Agassa.
Late on, Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier headed wide from an unmarked position in a rare clear-cut chance to end proceedings goalless.
Later this evening DR Congo comes up against Morocco in the second Group game.
Lineups:
Ivory Coast
- 16Gbohouo
- 17Aurier
- 21Bailly
- 5Kanon
- 18Traoré
- 11Kessié
- 20Serey Dié
- 6Seri
- 9Zaha
- 14Kodjia
- 8Kalou
Substitutes
- 1Mande
- 2Pepe
- 3N’Guessan
- 4Koné
- 7Angban
- 10Doukoure
- 12Bony
- 13Sio
- 15Gradel
- 19Deli
- 22Bagayoko
- 23Sangaré
Togo
- 16Agassa
- 17Gakpe
- 15Romao
- 13Ouro-Akoriko
- 21Dakonam Ortega
- 7Dossevi
- 10Ayité
- 18Atakora
- 22Bebou
- 19Fo-Doh Laba
- 4Adebayor
Substitutes
- 1Mensah
- 2Atchou
- 3Ouro-Sama
- 5Akakpo
- 6Mamah
- 8Agbégniadan
- 9Bossou
- 11Kouloum
- 12Boukari
- 14Segbefia
- 20Eninful
- 23Tchagouni