The Ivorian played a smart pass to Haller, who duly fired home the Africa Cup of Nations match’s opener after 25 minutes. Earlier he won a penalty under a foul by Umaru Bangura, although Franck Kessie could not convert from the spot.
However Zaha – who played 82 minutes – and his teammates could not stop Sierra Leone from fighting back twice. They pulled level shortly after half-time only for Arsenal’s Nicolas Pépé to restore Les Éléphants’ lead 10 minutes later. With a second Ivory Coast win from two seemingly wrapped up, the Leone Stars equalised in the 93rd-minute.