The incredible redemption. On Monday, on the hot night of Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast defeated Senegal in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations (1-1, 5-4). Habib Diallo scored the first goal against the Elephants, who responded with a penalty five minutes before the end of normal time. Moussa Niakhaté missed his attempt in the shootout while Franck Kessié, equalizer, celebrated his country. In the quarter-finals, Ivory Coast will face Mali or Burkina Faso.
They didn't even need Hervé Renard to perform a miracle. Emerse Faé's players, promoted to coach following the resignation of Jean-Louis Gasset, won the right to continue the adventure in their competition by eliminating the defending champions. They, who seemed so disorganized and feverish in the group stage, on the edge of the abyss and a terrible explosion, have found energy and courage again.
A great goal from Diallo
Ivory Coast came a long way to qualify, winning after tension and a grueling penalty shootout. Like her people, she was caught off guard by a great goal from Habib Diallo. The former Strasbourg striker received a cross from Sadio Mané, which he reinforced with a noble sequence: targeted control of the chest and a powerful blow into the top corner from the unfortunate Yahia Fofana (0:1, 4th).
The defensive apathy of Serge Aurier – at flanker – and Jean Michaël Seri – at goal scorer – was harshly punished, but did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Ivorian fans. Although they did not trouble Edouard Mendy in the first half, with the notable exception of Seko Fofana (40'), the Elephants occupied the Senegalese camp for very long periods. Problem: The Lions of Teranga's defensive replacements, set up in a 3-4-3 formation, often frustrated them.
Error-free Ivorian in front of goal
The Ivorians equalized in the second half against a Senegal who played with the handbrake: Kessié's head (73') and Nicolas Pépé's flat foot (77'), which had just come into play, were hijacked by Edouard Mendy. Imperial then committed a foul on Pépé in the 84th minute, and the penalty converted by Kessié – awarded after video support – sent the Charles Konan Banny Stadium roaring with joy (1-1, 86th minute). Note that Senegal could also have benefited from a penalty when Ismaïla Sarr collapsed upon contact with Odilon Kossounou (55')…
The sticks were too heavy to play in overtime. Mané, who had been missing since a very nasty tackle on Ibrahim Sangaré earlier in the game that could (would have?) earned him a sending off and no yellow card, was the only one to get a clear chance and Yahia Fofana won his duel from close range (105.+1).
Ivory Coast, humiliated 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea last week, had too much to forgive from its people. Fofana's right post helped keep out Niakhaté's attempt. While all seemed lost for the Elephants, here they are in the quarter-finals of the CAN and still in the running for their third continental success. An incredible redemption.