AFCON 2023: Cote D’Ivoire shoot-out Holders Cote Senegal

Frank Kessie jumped off the bench to convert two crucial spot-kicks as Cote D’Ivoire came from one down to defeat outgoing champions, Senegal in the round of 16, at the Charles Konan Bany stadium, Yamoussoukro.

Having trailed on Monday in the round of 16 of the TotalEnergies AFCON, Cote D’Ivoire was able to level before beating Senegal 5-4 on penalties, after a one-all scoreline in regular time.

Cote D’Ivoire were kept alive in the competition by the skin of their teeth, and finally, they sail through to the quarter-finals on Monday by eliminating Senegal, defending champions and favorites.

The Teranga Lions opened scores through Habib Diallo (4th minute) but got a solid response and an eventual equalizer from Franck Kessié at the 86th minute, through the spot.

Pepe was fouled after he took an extra touch in the area and was clattered upon by Edouard Mendy. Referee Pierre Ghislain Acho initially waved it aside but changed his decision after a VAR review.

Kessié still followed up to score the final shot for the Elephants in the 5-aside session marked by a miss by Senegalese defender, Moussa Niakhaté.

The presence in the quarter-finals for Cote D’Ivoire has been described as a ‘miracle’.

The Elephants qualified for the round of 16 at the end of a disastrous group stage concluded by a beating against Equatorial Guinea (4-0) and a change of staff, Emerse Faé, former assistant.

The host nation approached the knockout matches with a sad record of two defeats for a single victory and 5 goals conceded against two scored, while Senegal was the only team to have a hundred percent group stage record.

The story continues for the Elephants, who will play next Saturday for a place in the semi-finals against the winners of the match between Mali and Burkina Faso, scheduled for Tuesday.