Côte d’Ivoire’s winger Gervinho has been handed a two-match ban by the CAF Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday, following the straight red card he received against Guinea in Malabo on Tuesday, in their Group D opener of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
The AS Roma’s forward received his marching orders just before the hour-mark for slapping Guinean defender Naby Keita in the box, as the Elephants were one goal down after a 36th minute successful effort from Mohamed Yattara.
However, a 10-man Côte d’Ivoire managed to secure the draw thanks to substitute Seydou Doumbia in the 72nd minute.
The Elephants will have to do without Gervinho when they face Mali in Malabo on Saturday and Cameroon four days later.
“I would like to apologise to the Ivorian nation, to my team-mates, to the supporters and to the organisers of the CAN for this angry gesture which is totally out of character and evidently has no place on a football pitch,” the former Arsenal player posted on Twitter.