Ivory Coast continue to scramble their way through at the on going AFCON tournament hosted by them as they edge out Mali 2:1 in extra time. (Govima Sport Reports)
Ivory Coast qualified for the semi-final as their dream of winning on home soil continues.
The Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire has qualified for the semi-final of the on going AFCON tournament after a dramatic quarter finals display against Mali.
The host came into the game knowing how important it’s to get a victory, but standing in their way are the Malians. Who aren’t short of confidence.
Mali could have taken the lead early on, but they spunned their chance as Adama Traore lost a penalty, things got worse for the host as they were reduced to 10 men however they held on and the game ended 0:0 in the first half.
Having taken in that nightmare first period, the Elephants’ interim boss Emerse Faé could only respond by rolling out personnel changes and switching to a pragmatic approach.
It made them difficult to break down though in turn, Éric Chelle in the opposite dugout turned to Nene Dorgeles – who has Ivorian roots – for inspiration.
With 19 minutes remaining, the 21-year-old produced a glorious curling finish from outside of the area into the top-right corner to stun the Stade de la Paix, following up with muted celebrations.
They finished third in their group, required penalties in the last round and once again facing the prospect of exiting AFCON on home soil, a desperate final push was required to rescue 10-man Ivory Coast.
When two headed opportunities went amiss it seemed their luck had run out, however, in the 90th minute, an equaliser was crafted out of nothing to send the tie into ET. Seko Fofana’s first attempt from 18 yards pinballed off two defenders before falling to Simon Adringa, who clinically dispatched into the top left corner from close range.
In the 30 additional minutes both sides brought the same intensity as the prior 90, but as it unfolded both momentum and history favoured the home nation. Sébastien Haller first came close when striking the bar with a header, then just as it seemed penalties would be required, a winner was found in stoppage time at the end of ET.
In the most dramatic fashion, another Fofana shot crept through a crowded penalty area and was flicked in by Oumar Diakite.
The home support went wild, tempers flared at FT as Diakite and Hamari Traore were shown red cards each, and going forward, the host will now face off against Democratic Republic of Congo for a place in the final.
