Ivory Coast hammered bottom-placed Mozambique 3-0 in Benin on Saturday evening to reclaim Group D summit of the World Cup qualifiers.
Max-Alain Gradel, Maxwell Mornt and Jean Michael Seri scored for Ivory Coast to leave the already eliminated Mambas winless in five games in which they have just collected one point.
Gradel scored barely 10 minutes into the game before Cornet added the second goal in the 61st minute and captain Seri struck again on the stroke of full-time to seal the win.
Grazel bundled the ball across the goal-mouth after the Ivorians had pressed high up the pitch to intercept Mozambique’s clearance.
Thereafter, Cornet volleyed from the blind side after meeting a cross from the right wing before Seri slotted from close range while the Mambas stood bemused.
It was the losing debut for Mozambique’s new coach Chiquino Conde who replaced Horacio Goncalves after a poor run of results.
The Elephants took their tally to 13 points from five games, pushing back to second place Cameroon who had temporarily gone top after trouncing third-placed Malawi 4-0 in South Africa earlier on Saturday.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon eased past 10-member Flames of Malawi 4-0 in South Africa on Saturday afternoon to lead Group D of the World Cup qualifiers.
Vincent Aboubacar, Andre-Frank Nguissa and Christian Bassogog’s brace sealed the win for Malawi at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
Malawi remain on third place in the group with three points from five games and are out of the qualification race alongside the Mambas of Mozambique who have a mere one point.