By Frank Ulom
Struggling host, Ivory Coast came out on top after stunning the defending champions, Senegal, in the round 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, at the Stade Charles Konan Banny, Yamoussoukro on Monday, 29 January 2024.
The Elephants went behind when Habibou Diallo calmly slotted in Sadio Mane’s byline cross in the 4th minute.
The Teranga Lions were lucky not to have been reduced to 10 men when Mane stuck out his boot on Ibrahim Sangare in the 9th minute.
Ivory Coast grew from strength to strength, keeping out the defending Champions until they were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute following a foul on Nicolas Pepe by Edouard Mendy.
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Franck Kessie, who started the match from the bench stepped up and slot home the penalty in the 86th minute.
No team was able to find the winner in the extra time despite Senegal having glorious chances.
Ivory Coast later won the game 5-4 on penalties, with only Senegal’s Moussa Niakhate missing his spot kick.
They will play the winner between Mali and Burkina Faso in the quarterfinal on Saturday, 3 February 2024.
Watch highlights below…