Côte d’Ivoire Coast to the Semi-Finals with a 2 – 1 Win Against Mali
The Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire shocked Mali to book their place in the final four of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following a dramatic 2-1 win on Saturday, February 3, following Adama Traore’s missed penalty for Mali, Nene Dorgeles thought his second-half goal secured the win.
However, Simon Adingra leveled in the last minute before Oumar Diakite took center stage as the match seemed to be heading for penalties.
The Elephants pulled off an amazing extra-time comeback win despite having Odilon Kossounou sent off as they beat Mali 2-1 in front of the fans and countrymen at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
The first half was kind of tipsy-turvy as Sikou Niakate had a penalty appeal for handball turned down as he was offside, before Odilon Kossounou conceded one for a foul on Lassine Sinayoko, only for Adama Traore to miss.
Just before half-time, Sinayoko brought another desperate foul from Kossounou, who saw red.
As the weakened side was tired, Nene found room to fire in a brilliant strike from 30 yards out to take the lead, but with the game almost over, Simon Adingra prodded home an injury-time equalizer.
With no breakthrough in extra time, the match seemed to be set for penalties before a knockout blow from Oumar Diakite in added time.
