Thanks to a gem from Séko Fofana, Côte d’Ivoire won against Gabon (1-0) on the third day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Elephants are now the sole leaders of Group F.
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The African champions have maintained their momentum and continue to string together performances since their coronation last February. Friday, facing the Gabon (0-1), they recorded a third victory in three outings in these 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
However, Emerse Fae’s men had everything to fear from this meeting against the Panthers who had also scored plenty of points during the first two days. And very quickly, the Elephants noticed that Aubameyang and his team had not come to sightsee in Korhogo. The Marseille striker warned his hosts in the second minute of play with a shot on Yahia Fofana’s post. The Elephants goalkeeper saved his team again 10 minutes later on a great recovery from Jim Allevinah.
Deprived of the ball by a more dashing Gabon, with more mobile players, the Ivory Coast will still open the scoring on a “special” Seko Fofana. Little in sight since the start of the match, the former Lens player fired a mine at the entrance to the area which ended up in the top corner (36th).
Kessié finds the crossbar
Emerse Faé, who did not call up 10 African champions for these June matches, could breathe. His team is in front and will remain so. Because the Gabonese had missed the boat in the first period and seemed to suffer the blow when their opponents regained momentum.
The Ivorians thus miss the opportunity on several occasions to add to the score; Haller sees his shot escape the target (51st), then it is Loyce Mbaba who intervenes in front of the attacker (59th). Captain Franck Kessié will also miss the opportunity to double the lead with a header that ends up on the crossbar (76th).
But the African champions had already achieved the essential with this third victory which allows them to take the lead in Group F alone with three points ahead of Gabon.
For the fourth day, Tuesday June 11, Ivory Coast travels to Kenya while Gabon will host Gambia.
Read also2026 World Cup: schedule and results of qualifiers in Africa