The qualification to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations was celebrated on Saturday night by the Ivory Coast, which after a game full of tension, nerves and strong emotions, defeated Mali in extra time with a score of 2-1!
After the upset over Senegal in the “16” stage, the “elephants” they pulled off another epic upset of the competition after finding themselves behind in the 71st minute, before equalizing and sending the match into extra time in the 90th minute! And all this, while they were playing with ten players from 43′!
Now, the Ivory Coast is called upon to overcome its obstacle as well Democratic Republic of the Congo on the way to the final!
The first half was quite balanced and with enough tension, with the referee not a little… not much taking the yellow card out of his pocket six times! In a first half where they did not have many chances, Mali squandered a unique chance to open the scoring in the 16th minute, with Fofana Adama Traore’s penalty! And while Ivory Coast saw luck smiling at them in this phase, they then saw the other… side of the coin, since in the 43rd minute they were left with ten players after Kosunou was sent off.
In the second half, Mali increased their intensity and pressure, eventually reaching the goal and 1-0 thanks to Nene’s goal in the 71st minute. Despite playing with one man more and controlling the ball and tempo, Mali could not hold on for the win as the “Elephants” in their only good phase of the 2nd half equalized at 1-1 at 90′ with Antigras!
The match went to overtime, where typically the hosts were anxiously looking for the qualifying goal. However, it was Ivory Coast who really threatened with Ale’s cross in the 96th minute, before getting a great win in the 2nd minute of stoppage time with goal of Diakite!
In the final, in fact, the scorer, but also Traore of Mali were expelled after tension and strife.
Detailed results of the quarterfinals:
Nigeria-Angola 1-0
(42′ Luqman)
L.D. Congo-Guinea 3-1
(27′ Bebe, 65′ Wissa, 82′ Mazouaku – 20′ pen. Bayou)
Mali-Ivory Coast 1-2 par. (1-1 ch.)
(71′ Nene – 90′ Andingra, 120+2′ Diakite)
Cape Verde-South Africa (22:00)
Source: Sport Fm
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