By Michael Madyira
Ten-man Ivory Coast made a dramatic comeback to book a place in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals after edging Mali 2-1 at the Stade de Bouake de la Paix on Saturday.
Substitute Oumar Diakite struck deep in extra time to send the Elephants into the last four.
It was a drama-filled evening which saw Simon Adingra levelling up for the hosts right on 90 minutes after Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Nene Dorgeles’s 71st minute goal for Mali.
To cap off what was a valiant display, the home side spent the better part of the contest a man short following a red card to Kouakou Kossounou two minutes before the half-time break.
After enduring a difficult group campaign, the Elephants have redeemed themselves and have now edged closer to the final.
After trailing and losing Kossounou on Saturday, it looked as if the hosts were going to be ejected from their own party.
But they showed nerves of steel, splicing up the match with some drama.
Mali could be blaming themselves after watching Adama Traore miss a penalty in the 17th minute after Kossounou fouled Lassine Sinayoko in the first half.
RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara started for the visitors despite going into the match as a doubt due to injury while Ivory Coast had Maxi Gradel back in the line-up.
After a goalless first half, It was the substitutes who made the impact with Dorgeless rising from the bench to put the Eagles ahead.
Adingra then equalised right at the death before Diakite’s goal as the match seemed headed for penalty shootouts.
Ivory Coast will now meet DR Congo in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Pictured above: Simon Adingra celebrates after scoring for Ivory Coast against Mali
Image source: CAF
