Saturday Feb 03, 2024. 22:02
Host nation Ivory Coast sealed their place in the semifinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday night following a riveting 2-1 win against Mali at Stade Bouake.
Date: 3 February 2024
Mali: (0) 1 (Nene 71’)
Ivory Coast: (0) 2 ( Adingra 89’, Diakate 120’)
Mali: Diarra, H.Traore, Kouyate, Niakate, Sacko, Coulibaly (B. Traore 89’), Samassekou (Sissoko 102’), Haidara (Diabate 62’), Doumbia (Bissouma 97’), Sinayoko (M. Fofana 89’), A.Traore (Dorgeles 63’)
Ivory Coast: Fofana, Konan, Ndicka, Kossounou, Aurier (Boly 46’), Kessie, Seri (Adingra 86’), Gradel (O.Diakate 73’), Fofana, Pepe (Singo 45’), Kouame (Haller 46’)
The Elephants will now take on DR Congo on the 7th of February in Abidjan.
Mali bossed proceedings at Sade Bouake throughout the first-half and put Ivory Coast under pressure from the first whistle. Les Aigles were awarded a penalty in the 16th minute of the game, however Adama Traore’s effort was saved by Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
In rounding off an eventful first-half, Ivory Coast were reduced to 10-men shortly before the break after Lassine Sinayoko’s teasing run en-route to goal prompted Odilon Kossounou to commit his second yellow card offence of the game.
Mali took the lead in the 71st minute of the game, following a tacky period of play after the restart. In capping off a swift passing move inside the Ivory Coast half, Nene Dorgeles produced a powerful shot from range to give his nation a well-deserved lead.
The elephants equalized moments before the 90th minute mark, as Simon Adingra joined Nene on the scoreboard. After a long ball was played into the Mali half by Fofana, Adingra found himself in the right place at the right time with a poacher’s effort inside the 18-yard-box.
Sebastien Haller produced the Ivorians best chance during extra-time, after his header in the 96th minute struck the Mali crossbar. Nevertheless, the Elephants took the lead in the 120th minute with Oumar Diakite pulled off a clever flick inside the small area following a shot on the edge of the area.
COMMENTS
Sign in to comment