AFCON 2023 hosts Cote D’Ivoire qualify to semi-finals at the expense of Mali

AFCON 2023 hosts Cote D’Ivoire qualify to semi-finals at the expense of Mali

 A big, spirited Cote D’Ivoire qualified to the semi-finals of the AFCON 2023 tournament at the expense of Mali.

Cote D’Ivoire rallied from a goal-down to edge Mali 2-1 at the Stade Bouake on Saturday, February 3, 2024 (after extra-time).

Oumar Diakite scored a late-late strike in extra time to give the hosts victory.

Cote D’Ivoire were reduced to 10-men when Odilon Kossounou was sent off in the 43rd minute.

The numerical advantage counted as Mali took the lead through Nene Dorgeles of Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg in the 71st minute.

Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion) leveled matters on the stroke of full-time to spark wild celebrations and send the game into extra-time.

Diakite, a forward at French Ligue 1 side Reims scored late in the game with virtually the last kick of the game as the Elephants qualified to the semi-finals.

Mali’s Hamari Traore was also sent off in the 125th minute of the game.

Cote D’Ivoire joins Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the semi-finals.

The hosts will now face Sebastian Desabre’s coached Democratic Republic of Congo at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe on Wednesday, 7th February 2024.