Oumar Diakite was the hero of the evening for Ivory Coast who beat Mali to seal a spot in the semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Elephants earned a 2-1 win over the Eagles in extra time to continue their incredible run under interim head coach Emerse Faé.
Mali had a strong start to the quarterfinal game and the better of the two teams in the opening 20 minutes of the encounter.
They had the opportunity to take the lead early in the game as they were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box by Odilon Kossounou. However, Traore's slightly scuffed spot-kick was saved by Fofana who guessed right.
Kossounou's dreadful half came to an early end as he was shown his marching off orders for a foul on Sinayoko resulting in a free-kick for Mali.
Both teams headed into the break with no goals separating them.
The breakthrough however came in the 71st minute with substitute Nene Dorgeles producing a moment of magic to put Mali ahead from about 20 yards out.
Despite conceding, Fae's side remained resilient and took the game to the Malins before getting an equaliser of their own through substitute Simon Adingra.
After a long pass downfield, Fofana fired a shot that deflected nicely for the substitute to score with nearly his first touch in the 90th minute.
The game then proceeded to extra time where the two teams continued to battle for the winner.
Sebastien Haller saw his effort come off the crossbar but there was no denying Diakite in the 120th minute as the winger's cheeky flick ended up at the back of the net to put Ivory Coast ahead.
Mali failed to clear from a set piece and it fell nicely for Seko Fofana to drive low and powerfully, through the crowd of bodies – possibly via a deflection – before Diakite got the decisive flick which diverted it into the net.
The goalscorer was sent off after he took off his shirt in the celebration but the nine-man team were able to hold Mali off in the dying moments of the game to sail through to the last four.
Latest Stories
-
Voter Registration: Residents satisfied with process so far on Day 2 in Ashanti Region
13 mins -
Foreign Affairs Ministry revives Made-In-Ghana Bazaar to link local industries to foreign market
14 mins -
Attacks on journalists threaten core democratic values – Information Minister
16 mins -
Your legacy is one of debts and chaos; nothing better – Joyce Bawah to Akufo-Addo
17 mins -
Cecilia Dapaah has the bigger responsibility of clearing her name – Dr Asante
19 mins -
GHS reminds public of ongoing national COVID-19 vaccination exercise
28 mins -
Tema-Mpakadan train accident: State waiting for manufacturers to conduct assessment
42 mins -
Greater Accra REGSEC declares Ramsar sites security zones
49 mins -
Embracing Africa’s indigenous knowledge is key to true development – Al-hassan Seidu
50 mins -
‘You’ve taken our time, energy for nothing’ – Court dismisses Thaddeus Sory’s preliminary objection in anti-LGBTQ case
51 mins -
Societe Generale Ghana exit rumours not coming from Group Head in France – MD
1 hour -
Do not be intimidated by NPP – NDC National Vice Chairman to party faithful
1 hour -
AstraZeneca withdraws Covid-19 vaccine citing low demand
2 hours -
We didn’t go to court to force President to sign Anti-LGBTQ+ bill – Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo
2 hours -
UCL: Real Madrid chase another final with Bayern in the way
2 hours