World Soccer

AFCON champions Ivory Coast held by Benin in friendly

Ivory Coast came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Benin on Saturday, the African champion’s first match since winning a third AFCON title in February.

Junior Olaitan scored a brace either side of the break as 98th-ranked Benin looked to shock Ivory Coast in Amiens, France.

Former Leeds and Bournemouth winger Max-Alain Gradel, 36, got the Elephants level just shy of the half-hour mark, before breaking down in tears at scoring in his farewell match for the team he represented over 100 times.

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Oumar Diakite then cancelled out Olaitan’s second in the 69th minute as a much-changed Ivory Coast side avoided defeat in their first outing since winning the AFCON final 2-1 against Nigeria in Abidjan.

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By Agence France Presse
Read more on these topics: Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)ivory coast