In a penalty shootout, the 2023 AFCON hosts, Ivory Coast, defeated Senegal, the current tournament winners.
Ivory Coast, who advanced to the round of 16 as one of the top four third-place teams, managed to hold their own against Senegal following a dismal performance in the 2023 AFCON group stage, which saw them record two losses and one victory.
In terms of African football, Senegal and Ivory Coast are well-known, but it was anticipated that the 2021 AFCON winners would have an easier time against the hosts.
Remember that Senegal defeated Cameroon, Guinea, and Gambia to finish the group stage with a perfect 9 points? However, Ivory Coast was humiliated 4-0 by lowly-ranked Equatorial Guinea in their final group stage match.
On Monday, January 29, at the Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro in front of their home supporters, however, it was a completely different Ivorian team that demonstrated greater zest for victory and made amends.
But thanks to a goal from Habib Diallo in the fourth minute of play, Senegal got off to a devastating start.
Most football fans thought that after conceding a goal so early, the Ivorians would easily win, but Franck Kessié’s penalty kick in the 86th minute gave the Ivorians the equalizer.
Both teams were unable to score for the remainder of regulation time and the first thirty minutes of extra time after that. Therefore, penalties had to be used to determine the game.
Every player who attempted a penalty kick did so successfully, with the exception of Nottingham Forest defender Moussa Niakhaté, 27, who missed his attempt and allowed Ivory Coast to win 4-5.
In the quarterfinals on February 3, 2024, at 6 p.m., Ivory Coast will take on the victor of the match between Mali and Burkina Faso.