AFCON 2023: Defending Champions Senegal Crash Out As Ivory Coast Win On Penalties 

Defending champions Senegal were eliminated by the hosts Ivory Coast as Franck Kessie scored the winning penalty for the host country Ivory Coast.

Senegal took the lead in the fourth minute thanks to a spectacular shot by Habib Diallo, although Ivory Coast had the better of the first half in terms of ball control. Sadio Mane was on the left flank when Ismail Jakob’s throw-in reached him, and he kept an inch-perfect cross for Diallo inside the penalty box. With a picture-perfect finish, the Al-Shabab forward controlled the ball with his chest and hit the back of the net.

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Former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made two very important saves in the 73rd and 77th minute to maintain his team’s lead only to give away a penalty a few minutes later as he pounced on Nicolas Pepe. After a lengthy VAR check, the spot-kick was awarded to The Elephants and Franck Kessie scored the equaliser from the penalty spot.

The goal forced extra-time but neither team could add to their tally, meaning penalties were needed. The Elephants eventually emerged triumphant as they made it to the AFCON quarter-finals by winning 5-4 in the shootout.

The entire Ivory Coast team deserves praise for advancing to the quarterfinals in spite of all the unrest. The squad was shocked to learn that their manager, Jean-Louis Gasset, had been abruptly fired following their 4-0 group-stage loss to Equatorial Guinea, but they rallied to overcome the tournament favourites and reigning champions.

Sadio Mane, the captain of Senegal, must accept responsibility for his team’s elimination from the competition. The top player had a chance to register his name on the scoresheet even though he did set up Diallo’s early goal. In the 77th minute, Mane had a chance to extend his team’s lead but was unable to keep his close-range attempt on goal.

On February 3 at Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Ivory Coast will play the winner of the match between Mali and Burkina Faso in the quarterfinal.