The African Cup of Nations remains the gift that keeps giving, as another classic unfolded at the Alassane Outtara stadium. Host nation Ivory Coast hit a late jackpot to win against Mali in the final minute of extra time.
A game that started with Mali going at the Ivorians very strongly. The Mali team came close to a penalty in the 12th minute, but the incident was deemed offside by a match officials. This let Odilon Kossonou off the hook monetarily.
The Bayer Leverkusen defender would finally get his sentencing four minutes after as he clattered into Lassine Sinayoko in his own area, getting a yellow card and conceding a penalty in the process. The resulting penalty was taken by Adama Traore, but Yahia Fofana was on hand to deny the Malian from the spot.
Kossonou got a second yellow card in the 43rd minute for another bookable offence, leaving the host nation to play out the game with 10 men.
The second half began with Mali swarming out to get goal, one they finally got in the 71st minute courtesy of Nene Dorgeles.
The Ivorians made their own move to get an equalizer, approaching with caution due to their numerical disadvantage. In the final minute of regulation time, Simon Adingra took advantage of the chaos in the mali defensive area to level the proceedings, giving his nation a lifeline to play for in extra time.
The extra time period was marked with more Mali attacks and chances to end the game, a goal never came for the eagles.
In the only minute of stoppages allowed after another 30 minutes of football, Oumar Diakhate finished off a beautiful team move to land a telling punch. The 20 year old could not contain his joy and took off his shirt, earning him a second yellow card.
Cote d’Ivoire now advance to the semi finals of the competition, and will now face DR Congo for a place in the final. Cote d’Ivoire will have to do it without Oumar Diakhate and Odilon Kossonou, both who got sent off in this quarteri final fixture.
