Ivory Coast have now qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2023 AFCON in a game that stretched all the way to penalties. It was a dramatic night for the boys in orange, who took their second chance at knockout football with both hands, knocking out the defending champions in front of their home crowd.
Senegal really did not hit that top gear that won them all three group stage games, although they did get a fast start. Habib Diallo rifled in a thunderous shot from Sadio Mane’s cross in the 4th minute.
Senegal had a few close calls in the first half, but Cote d’Ivoire took over the proceedings towards the end of the first half, with wave after wave of attacks and most of the play being in the Ivorian half.
The second half went up a notch when Frank Kessie, Simon Adingra, and Nicolas Pepe joined the game.
Pepe showed why he had the most entries into the opposition danger area, driving multiple times into the heart of the Terrangan defense. Finally, his questions bore fruit when he was caught by an outrushing Edouard Mendy, earning his nation a penalty, one which was converted by Frank Kessie in the 86th minute.
After 120 minutes and two evenly shared goals, the tie went to penalties.
It took just five kicks each and one crucial miss from Nottingham Forest’s Moussa Niakhate to knock out Senegal, who hit the woodwork with his attempt.
Ivory Coast has now taken the outside route and will face Cape Verde in the quarterfinals.
