Afcon 2023: Mali v Ivory Coast
Mali #Mali
Ivory Coast scored late on in both normal time and extra time in Bouake to reach the Afcon semi-finals
Host nation Ivory Coast produced another amazing Africa Cup of Nations escape act as Oumar Niakite’s 122nd-minute winner sent the 10-man Elephants into the semi-finals at heartbroken Mali’s expense.
The hosts played the majority of the game at a numerical disadvantage after Odilon Kossounou’s dismissal for two first-half fouls on Lassine Sinayoko and they fell behind to Nene Dorgeles’ classy curler.
But the Elephants equalised right on 90 minutes through Simon Adringa’s opportunistic finish – and won it with virtually the last kick of extra time when Niakite diverted home Seko Fofana’s shot.
Niakite left the field with mixed emotions, however, as a second yellow card received for removing his shirt in celebration means he will be banned for Wednesday’s semi-final against DR Congo.
The final whistle yielded unsavoury scenes as several Mali players surrounded referee Mohamed Adel, remonstrating with the official, and Hamari Traore was shown a red card for taking his protests too far.
More to follow.
Line-upsMali
Formation 4-3-1-2
16Diarra
2Traoré5Kouyaté6Niakaté17Sacko
11Coulibaly8Samassékou4Haidara
26Doumbia
21Traoré25Sinayoko
Substitutes
Ivory Coast
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Fofana
17Aurier7Kossounou21Ndicka3Konan
4Seri8Kessié
19Pépé6Fofana15Gradel
20Kouamé
Substitutes
Live Text
Match ends, Mali 1, Côte d’Ivoire 2.
Hamari Traoré (Mali) is shown the red card for violent conduct.
Second Half Extra Time ends, Mali 1, Côte d’Ivoire 2.
Fousseni Diabaté (Mali) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire).
Second yellow card to Oumar Diakité (Côte d’Ivoire) for excessive celebration.
Goal! Mali 1, Côte d’Ivoire 2. Oumar Diakité (Côte d’Ivoire) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Seko Fofana following a set piece situation.
Attempt blocked. Seko Fofana (Côte d’Ivoire) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by Boubacar Traoré (Mali).
Oumar Diakité (Côte d’Ivoire) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Hamari Traoré (Mali).
Foul by Boubacar Traoré (Mali).
Franck Kessié (Côte d’Ivoire) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Nene Dorgeles (Mali) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Boubacar Traoré.
Corner, Mali. Conceded by Seko Fofana.
Fousseni Diabaté (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ghislain Konan (Côte d’Ivoire).
Oumar Diakité (Côte d’Ivoire) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Nene Dorgeles (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.