Franck Kessie Scores Acrobatic Kick Goal as Cote D'Ivoire Thrash Sierra Leone in Friendly: Video

• Cote D'Ivoire have beaten Sierra Leone in a pre-AFCON friendly
• The AFCON hosts are preparing for the tournament on home soil
• Ex-Barcelona star Franck Kessie will lead the team at the tournament

Al-Ahli star, Franck Kessie scored a sensational bicycle kick goal as Cote D'Ivoire continued their preparations ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations with a thumping 5-1 win over Sierra Leone.

The AFCON hosts are hoping to win the tournament for the third time in their history, as they welcome twenty-three other nations to the West African country next week.

Coach Jean-Louis Gasset named a strong lineup for the match at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San-Pédro, with the likes of Jeremie Boga and Kessie starting.

The Elephants wasted no time in taking the lead after Ousmane Diomande broke the deadlock before Kessie doubled the advantage with his belter.

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Jonathan Bamba made it 3-0 before halftime as the host went into the break with a comfortable lead.

After half-time Boga and Lazare Amani added two more before Rodney Michael pulled one back late in the game for the visitors.

Cote D'Ivoire have been drawn in Group A alongside the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea.

Zaha reacts after AFCON omission

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Galatasaray forward Wilfried Zaha has reacted to his omission from the Ivory Coast squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.

The former Manchester United and Crystal Palace winger was surprisingly not included in the 27-man squad released by coach Jean-Louis Gasset.

Zaha, who switched nationalities to represent Ivory Coast, was part of the team at the tournament in Cameroon last year.

Nine stars to miss AFCON 2023

Sports Brief also reported that the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be littered with stars across the continent, from Mohamed Salah of Egypt to Victor Osimhen of Nigeria.

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The tournament begins on Saturday, January 13, as Africa takes centre stage in football as the continent looks for a new champion.

However, some big names will also be missing at the tournament for various reasons, while some were shockingly excluded from their teams, others were ruled out by injuries.