6th September, 2015
Sierra Leone national team coach, Sellas Tetteh, said on Sunday that he was satisfied with the outcome of the AFCON qualifying match against Cote d’Ivoire.
Sierra Leone held African champions, Cote d’Ivoire, to a goalless draw in an AFCON 2017 qualifying match at the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium, Port Harcourt.
Tetteh told sportswriters after the match that playing against African champions was not an easy task.
“The game was two halves. The first half was quite balanced, which was equally interesting.
“The second half, though one sided, but also in our few counter attacks, we were too dangerous,’’ he said.
Tetteh said his team played a tactical game.
“This is a game, tactically, it worked perfectly for us. We did less mistakes, we did more of the covering ups, we did more of the tackling and I think we did it very well,’’ he said.
Tetteh, who said he took over the team three weeks ago, expressed satisfaction with the draw.
“Certainly, we deserved this draw. I am satisfied with the draw. I give credit to my players, playing against reigning African champions, away from home,’’ he said.
Sierre Leone captain, Umaru Bangura, said the team was careful playing against the African champions.
“Playing against a big team like Cote d`Ivoire, you have to be careful. With this result, we are happy,’’ he said.
On his part, Cote d’Ivoire coach, Michel Dussuyen, said though his team did not play well in the first half, they did their best.
“In the second half, we tried to score, created chances, but were unlucky.
“Sierra Leone is a good team. They fought hard to get this result. So, it was not easy.
“It was a difficult game for us, but we will work for the future,’’ he said.
Dussuyen said he missed former captain, Yaya Toure, and Wilfred Boni, stressing that they were still part of the team.
Team captain, Yao Kouassi Gervaiz, alias Gervino, said they were not lucky in the match.
“Sierra Leone had a good team. Yaya Toure and Boni are good players and key to the success of our team.’’
He said the team would fight hard to win remaining matches.
“But our coach knows who to use for matches and we have other players,’’ he said