Ivory Coast 1-0 Burundi Player Ratings: Vakoun Bayo Rated 7.5/10 as Early Header Secures Narrow Victory

A lightning-fast start was all it took. Côte d'Ivoire edged out a resilient Burundi side 1-0 in a tense CAF World Cup Qualifiers encounter at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny. From our perspective, this was a game of two halves in a very different sense; a frantic opening few minutes followed by 87 minutes of tactical chess. The decisive blow came just three minutes in, with Vakoun Bayo rising highest to power home a header.

The assist from Simon Adingra was perfect. It felt like the floodgates might open after that. But credit to Burundi, they didn't crumble. Instead, they regrouped and frustrated the hosts for the remainder of the match. What stood out to us was the game's physicality. Yellow cards for Franck Kessié and Amad Diallo showed that the Elephants were not having it all their own way.

Burundi battled hard but just couldn't create any clear-cut chances. Their final ball was lacking, and the Ivorian defence stood firm. While it wasn't the most scintillating performance from the home side, they got the job done. It's three crucial points in the bag for their qualification campaign, but they'll know they need to be more clinical in future games. A win is a win, though.

Here are our Ivory Coast Vs Burundi Player Ratings

Ivory Coast Player Ratings vs Burundi

Here are Ivory Coast Player Ratings vs Burundi

Goalkeeper

Yahia Fofana - 6.5: Had one of the quietest nights of his career. Burundi barely troubled his goal, so he was more of a spectator. From our perspective he did everything required of him which was basically to stay alert. A clean sheet is a clean sheet, you can't ask for more. He collected a few crosses confidently and his distribution was fine.

Defenders

Ghislain Konan - 6.5: A solid and unspectacular performance from the left-back. He was defensively sound and didn't give his opposite number any room to operate. We noticed he tried to get forward on occasion but his main focus was clearly on his defensive duties. A professional job without any fuss.

Odilon Kossounou - 7.0: Looked very composed at the heart of the defense. He read the game well and was comfortable on the ball, often starting attacks from the back. What stood out was his positioning, he never seemed to be caught out. He formed a strong partnership with Ndicka that gave Burundi nothing.

Luck Zogbé - 6.5: A decent showing from the right-back. He showed good energy and was solid in his defensive tasks. He supported the attack when he could but was rarely tested going the other way. A reliable performance in a defense that was never really under siege.

Evan Ndicka - 7.0: Much like his partner Kossounou, he was a rock at the back. Strong in the air and composed in possession, he looked a class act. He marshaled the backline effectively after the early goal. We were impressed by his no-nonsense approach to defending, clearing danger efficiently.

Midfielders

Seko Fofana - 6.5: A bundle of energy in the midfield before he was substituted. He drove forward with purpose and tried to make things happen in and around the box. His influence waned slightly as the game went on, but it was a positive contribution overall. He helped set the high tempo early on.

Franck Kessié - 6.5: The captain played his usual combative role. He was a physical presence in the middle of the park, breaking up play effectively. However, he picked up a silly yellow card and wasn't as influential in an attacking sense as we know he can be. A workmanlike performance from the skipper.

Ibrahim Sangaré - 6.5: Went about his business quietly but effectively. He was the anchor in midfield, protecting the back four and keeping possession moving. It wasn't a flashy performance, but he provided the stability that allowed others to play. A disciplined outing before being subbed off late on.

Forwards

Vakoun Bayo - 7.5: The match-winner and our man of the match. His only significant contribution was the goal, but what a contribution it was. A classic poacher's header, powerful and perfectly placed just three minutes in. After that, he worked hard but was isolated. He did the one thing the team desperately needed.

Simon Adingra - 7.0: Provided the moment of quality for the winning goal with a pinpoint cross. He was a constant menace down the wing for the 67 minutes he was on the pitch. His pace and directness caused problems for the Burundi defence. We were a little surprised to see him substituted.

Amad Diallo - 6.0: A frustrating evening for the talented winger. He showed glimpses of his quick feet and skill but struggled to create any real openings. His decision-making in the final third was lacking, and a yellow card for a rash challenge summed up his slightly off-key performance. Disappointing from our perspective.

Manager

E. Fae - 7.0: His plan to start fast and overwhelm Burundi worked to perfection, securing the winning goal within minutes. However, his team's inability to score a second and kill the game will be a slight concern. He managed the game well enough to see out the win. Three points are all that matter in qualifiers.

Burundi Player Ratings vs Ivory Coast

Here are Burundi Player Ratings vs Ivory Coast

Goalkeeper

Jonathan Nahimana - 6.0: Could do absolutely nothing about the powerful header for the goal. After that early shock, he wasn't tested nearly as much as he might have expected. He commanded his area reasonably well on the few occasions he was called upon. A tough start to the match for him.

Defenders

Marco Weymans - 6.0: Had a very difficult start against the lively Adingra. He stuck to his task though, and as the game progressed, he became more solid. He battled hard but offered little going forward, pinned back by his defensive responsibilities. An exhausting night's work for him.

Akbar Muderi - 6.0: Part of a central defence that was caught cold for the early goal. To his credit, he recovered his composure well. He made a number of important blocks and clearances as Burundi dug in to prevent a second goal. A resilient performance after a shaky opening.

Frédéric Nsabiyumva - 6.5: The captain looked shell-shocked after conceding so early but rallied his troops well. He organized the backline to be much more compact and difficult to break down. He was a commanding presence in the air and led by example with his commitment. A spirited display.

Claus Niyukuri - 6.0: Like his defensive colleagues, he had a tough time, especially in the opening exchanges. He worked tirelessly to contain the Ivorian attackers. He held his position well for the most part but struggled to contribute to any attacks. Solid, if limited.

Christophe Nduwarugira - 6.0: Had to do a lot of defensive work and chasing back. He was diligent and disciplined in his role, but the sheer quality of the opposition meant he was on the back foot for the entire 90 minutes. A difficult but determined outing.

Midfielders

Henry Msanga - 5.5: The game largely passed him by. He was unable to get on the ball and influence proceedings as the Ivorian midfield was simply too powerful and dominant. He chased shadows for much of the game before being substituted. A tough night at the office.

Parfait Bizoza - 5.5: He was certainly up for the physical battle, maybe a little too much. He flew into tackles and deservedly earned a yellow card for his troubles before being hooked after an hour. He disrupted play but offered very little in terms of quality on the ball.

Abedi Bigirimana - 5.5: Tried to be the link between Burundi's midfield and attack but was completely isolated. He was swarmed by Ivorian players whenever he got a touch of the ball. He worked hard off the ball but couldn't make any meaningful impact on the game.

Forwards

Jean Claude Girumugisha - 5.0: Arguably the worst performer on the pitch. He was completely starved of service and had to feed on scraps. From our perspective, he looked dejected as he had no opportunities to even get a shot away. A thankless task and a very quiet evening for the striker.

Bienvenue Kanakimana - 5.5: He showed some flashes of pace and tried to run the channels but received almost no support. The Ivorian defence, particularly Kossounou and Ndicka, had him in their pocket all game. He was left chasing lost causes before his substitution.

Manager

P. Sangwa - 5.5: His team looked completely unprepared for Côte d'Ivoire's fast start, and it cost them the game inside three minutes. While he should be credited for how his team regrouped and showed spirit, the overall game plan seemed far too negative. They offered next to nothing offensively, which was disappointing.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Vakoun Bayo