Ivory Coast’s Ruthless Display Leaves Seychelles Reeling: Seven Goals Signal Elephants’ World Cup Intent

From the first whistle at the National Sports Complex Pitch, any hopes Seychelles harbored of stemming their World Cup qualifying skid evaporated almost instantly, swept away by an Ivory Coast side whose ambition matched their pedigree. By the end of 90 unrelenting minutes, the scoreboard read Seychelles 0, Ivory Coast 7—a margin that was as much a statement as a scoreline, underscoring the chasm between Africa’s elite and its strugglers.

The match’s opening act unfolded with cruel efficiency. In just the 7th minute, Ivorian midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré converted a penalty, setting the tone for what would become a procession rather than a contest. There was little protesting the decision: Sangaré, as composed as he was clinical, dispatched the ball with conviction, giving the visitors a lead they would never threaten to relinquish.

Emmanuel Agbadou doubled the tally ten minutes later, capitalizing on a scrambled corner and punishing Seychelles’ inability to track runners in their own penalty area. Any vestige of resistance the home side could muster had already begun to dissipate, their lines buckling under orange pressure.

The third was inevitably not far behind, Oumar Diakité finishing off a slick passing move in the 32nd minute that showcased the technical gap between the sides. Evann Guessand’s strike in the 39th—another example of swift, incisive play—rounded out a four-goal first half that left Seychelles’ defense looking not just outmatched, but out of answers.

By halftime, what little tension the fixture promised had drained from the night air, the only question lingering a mathematical one: how high would the tally climb? Ivory Coast, with a squad scattered with continental stars, showed no inclination to show mercy or slow their rhythm.

The pattern did not waver after the break. Yan Diomande added a fifth in the 55th minute, his curling shot from the edge of the box emblematic of the confidence running through the Ivorian lineup. As the game wore on, Seychelles’ defenders, growing visibly weary, struggled to maintain organization—even the most basic defensive lines became porous.

Simon Adingra—ever the livewire—slotted home the sixth in the 68th minute. By then, the visitors could have been forgiven for easing off. Instead, the Elephants continued to press, a relentless demonstration of why they remain one of Africa’s most feared sides. To complete the ordeal, Franck Kessié got on the scoresheet in stoppage time, dispatching a finish with the coolness and authority befitting his stature.

It marked the heaviest defeat in this qualification cycle for Seychelles, and another reminder of just how steep the climb remains for the island nation. Their campaign, already in peril after recent losses to Kenya (0-5) and Gabon (0-4), now charts an even steeper descent—three qualifiers, fifteen goals conceded, none scored. The numbers tell a stark story: Seychelles, outgunned and outclassed, sit anchored to the bottom of their group, hope ebbing as quickly as the goals have arrived.

For Ivory Coast, the night offered more than just arithmetic pleasure. Their last two outings had suggested a team still piecing together its best form—a frustrating scoreless draw in Libreville against Gabon, followed by a slender 1-0 win over Burundi. Here, they brushed aside questions of creativity or clinical edge with a display brimming with both. The Elephants now surge to the top of the group, their superior goal difference a shield and a sword as qualification battles tighten.

Historically, the fixture has been lopsided—Ivory Coast has never lost to Seychelles, and tonight’s result only adds to that narrative. Yet even viewed through the lens of past encounters, this was a rout of rare clarity. No red cards, no controversy—just one team imposing its will from first to last, reaffirming its role as a perennial favorite to reach the World Cup.

For Seychelles, there are no easy answers. The gulf in quality, experience, and resources is manifest, and their qualifying journey now becomes a test of resilience and pride. With matches remaining, the focus shifts to restoring defensive order and finding some solace in incremental progress.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will take little for granted in a qualification gauntlet known for its unpredictability. But with attacking rhythm rediscovered and a roster rotating seamlessly, they have reasserted themselves as Africa’s team to watch—again.

The group’s dynamics, after this evening, are clearer: Ivory Coast atop and surging, Seychelles searching for belief amid the storm. The journey continues, but tonight, the Elephants left an imprint that will be hard to forget.