New Ivory Coast era without Drogba starts with a win

Reuters
Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba reacts with his teammates (L-R) Cheick Tiote, Salomon Kalou and Yaya Toure after their team conceded a goal to Greece during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Castelao arena in Fortaleza June 24, 2014. REUTERS/Paul Hanna

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Ivory Coast began a new era without the talismanic Didier Drogba on Saturday, defeating Sierra Leone 2-1 in their opening African Nations Cup qualifier. The Ivorians came from behind to beat their west African rivals who were severely affected by the Ebola virus outbreak in the leadup to the game, with support staff prohibited from travelling to Abidjan by Ivorian health authorities. Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half turned the Group D game around after Kei Kamara has given Sierra Leone a 40th-minute lead. Seydou Doumbia equalised in the 64th minute with a header from Serge Aurier's cross and Gervinho hit the winner three minutes later to give new coach Herve Renard a triumphant start. Chelsea striker Drogba, 36, announced his retirement from international football last month after scoring 61 goals in 103 appearances for his country.