Ivory Coast’s Gervinho banned for two Africa Cup of Nations matches
The Ivory Coast forward Gervinho will play no further part in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations after he was banned for two matches for striking an opponent, the Confederation of African Football said on Wednesday.
The forward received a straight red card after landing a blow on the Guinea defender Naby Keïta in the second half of their Group D match in Malabo on Tuesday.
He will miss pool matches with Mali on Saturday and Cameroon next Wednesday.
“I would like to apologise to the Ivory Coast nation, my team-mates, the fans and the Africa Nations Cup organisers for this gesture of anger. It is not like me and does not have its place on a football pitch,” he said via his official account on Wednesday.
Ivory Coast laboured to a 1-1 draw with Guinea in their opener, with Gervinho looking their most influential player before his sending off just before the hour mark.
All four sides in Group D have a single point after the opening round of games.