Gervinho’s Recent Form Solidifies Ivory Coast as Africa Cup of Nations Contender

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: January 26, 2013

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Ivory Coast striker Gervinho has been on a tear in the first two matches of Group D play in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. With two goals in as many matches, including both ultimate game winners, the 25-year-old has solidified the Elephants as a legitimate contender for the trophy.

The embattled scorer's emergence isn't completely surprising, since he was a solid contributor on last year's runner-up team.

However, his immense struggles with his English Premier League club Arsenal and a costly misfire in the 2012 Cup of Nations final against Zimbabwe planted seeds of doubt about the talented attacker.

But somebody needed to step up for the Ivory Coast national football team since all-time leading scorer Didier Drogba hasn't quite been himself. That was especially the case on Saturday, as Drogba was benched to start the match for the first time in his career.

After scoring the deciding goal against Togo in the opener, Gervinho scored his second straight goal for his country in the 21st minute, firing an unstoppable shot into the far, top corner of the net, getting the Elephants on the board early against Tunisia.

Dan Walker, host of the BBC's Football Focus, poked fun at Gervinho's sudden explosion as compared to his lackluster play in the EPL:

I'm hearing reports that Gervinho has actually scored a goal. There are witnesses & everything #acon

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) January 26, 2013 The goal proved to be enough, though, as the Elephants were able to stave off the Eagles of Carthage and add two more goals late to cap off a 3-0 triumph. Thanks to Algeria's loss in the subsequent match against Togo, Ivory Coast is the first squad through to the quarterfinals.

This return to form for Gervinho is an extremely encouraging recent trend, as he has seemed to put behind the disappointment in this tournament last year at least for the moment.



Gervinho'...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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