In a pulsating Africa Cup of Nations clash, Ivory Coast emerged triumphant against defending champions Senegal, sealing a spot in the quarterfinals after a thrilling 5-4 victory on penalties. The game had ended 1-1 during regulation time, with Franck Kessie's decisive kick proving pivotal in the Elephants' quest for glory.
The Senegalese Teranga Lions took an early lead, with Habib Diallo netting a sensational volley just four minutes into the match from a Sadio Mane cross. Ivory Coast, however, patiently bided their time and found the equalizer in the 86th minute from the penalty spot. Despite the referee initially denying the penalty claim, VAR intervention awarded the spot-kick, and Kessie calmly converted it in front of the home crowd.
The victory holds special significance for the Ivorian team, as they had only qualified for the last 16 as one of the four best losers. Adding to the drama, they had parted ways with coach Jean Louis Gasset following a disappointing 4-0 loss against Equatorial Guinea in their last group game.
Senegal, on the other hand, entered the match with a flawless record in the group stage but failed to capitalize on their early lead. As the Teranga Lions faltered to find the elusive second goal, Ivory Coast steadily grew into the game.
The turning point came through the strategic substitutions made by caretaker coach Emerse Fae, who introduced Haller and Pepe. It was Pepe who later won the crucial penalty that Kessie converted to equalize.
With both teams unable to break the deadlock in extra time, the match was ultimately decided by a dramatic penalty shootout. Mousaa Niakhate became the unfortunate player to miss his kick for Senegal, hitting the post. In contrast, Kessie, who had already scored from the spot during regulation, stepped up to convert the decisive kick, sending the hosts and their jubilant fans into wild celebration.
Ivory Coast's victory sets the stage for a tantalizing quarterfinal clash against Cape Verde in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. As the Elephants savor this sweet triumph, they look ahead to the next challenge in their quest for continental glory.
