November 22, 2024
Once again, Ivory Coast has managed to wriggle their way into the next round of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as the host nation scored a 120th-minute winner to oust Mali, and secure their spot in the semi-finals.
The host nation had an early scare in the 16th minute when Mali’s second penalty shout stood after Odilon Kossounou fouled Lassine Sinayoko in the box.
However, the fear was pacified as Yahia Fofana stood tall between the sticks to deny Adama Traoré from the spot.
After almost costing his side a goal, Kossounou received a second yellow card in the 43rd minute to tilt the tides in favour of Mali going into the break, although the Eagles kept it late to leverage the numerical advantage.
In the 71st minute, 21-year-old Nene Dorgeles of Ivorian background produced a great curling finish from outside of the box to put Mali ahead, before Simon Adringa equalized for the Elephants in the 90th minute, and send the encounter into the extra time.
The extra-time was the first in the AFCON quarter-final as the first two games ended within the regulation time.
Both halves of the extra time were an end-to-end contest from both sides, with both teams throwing everything at each other in a bid to secure the semis slot.
It appeared that was going to be determined by penalties, but the winning goal was found in the nick of time, and in the most dramatic fashion—Oumar Diakite had the last touch on Sesko Fofana’s shot to grab an unbelievable win for Côte d’Ivoire and set up a semi-final clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
IVORY COAST WITH A 120TH LAST MINUTE WINNER 🤯
WHAT AN AFCON TOURNAMENT
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) February 3, 2024
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