Ivory Coast secured a spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinals by eliminating defending champions Senegal in the Round of 16. The victory came in a 5-4 penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw on Monday night at the Stade Charles Konan Banny.
Senegal struck first with Habib Diallo putting them ahead in the fourth minute, but the Elephants roared back late as Franck Kessie converted a penalty in the 86th minute to send the game into extra time. Neither side could find a winner in the additional period, setting the stage for a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Kessie stepped up again to score the decisive penalty after Senegal’s Moussa Niakhaté missed his kick.
This victory marks a stunning redemption for Ivory Coast, who had shown inconsistency in the group stages. It also sends a shockwave through the competition, proving that Senegal’s title wasn’t guaranteed. The Elephants, fuelled by this dramatic triumph, now face the winner of Mali and Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals on February 3rd, their dream of AFCON glory burning brighter than ever.
The AFCON has been served another electrifying chapter, and the world watches in awe as Ivory Coast dances with destiny.