In a thrilling turn of events, Ivory Coast secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals with a heart-stopping 2-1 victory over Mali. Oumar Diakit emerged as the hero, scoring in stoppage time of extra time, propelling his 10-man team into the next round. The 90th-minute equalizer by Simon Adingra set the stage for the dramatic comeback, with Diakit sealing the victory in the 122nd minute. However, the euphoria was tempered by Diakit’s second yellow card for excessive celebrations, resulting in his suspension for the semi-final clash against DR Congo.
Early Struggles and Dismissal: Ivory Coast’s Rollercoaster Journey
Ivory Coast faced adversity early on, with Odilon Kossounou receiving a second yellow card in the 43rd minute, reducing the home team to 10 men. Mali’s Nene Dorgeles broke the deadlock in the 71st minute, putting Ivory Coast on the brink of elimination. Despite early penalty appeals and missed opportunities, Ivory Coast’s perseverance paid off when Adingra’s late goal forced extra time. The dramatic turn of events thrilled the nearly 40,000 fans at the Stadium of the Peace in Bouak and left Ivory Coast celebrating their passage to the semi-finals, albeit with Diakit’s absence.
South Africa’s Goalkeeper Heroics Propel Them to Semis
Meanwhile, South Africa experienced their own nail-biting quarter-final encounter against Cape Verde. In a goalless draw, the match was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, where South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams emerged as the hero by saving four penalties. The decisive kick by Mothobi Mvala secured a 2-1 victory in the shootout, propelling South Africa into the semi-finals for the first time since 2000.
Fortune Favors South Africa, Setting Up Clash with Nigeria
Despite a game filled with missed opportunities and a strong showing from Cape Verde, South Africa’s fortune prevailed, and they now face Nigeria in the semi-finals. Williams’ goalkeeping heroics played a pivotal role in South Africa’s advancement, and the team is poised for an exciting showdown in Bouake on Wednesday. The victory marks a significant milestone for South Africa in their quest for Africa Cup of Nations glory.
