Sarr and Senegal’s AFCON title defence ends in dramatic penalty shootout

Pape Matar Sarr and Senegal’s defence of their Africa Cup of Nations crown came to an end on Monday night as they fell to Ivory Coast 5-4 on penalties.

Having drawn 1-1 after extra-time, Senegal’s Moussa Niakhate missed the only penalty of the 10 taken in the shootout to see the competition’s host nation through to the last eight.

Winners of the continental tournament in 2022, Senegal headed into the last 16 tie with a perfect record at the 2023 AFCON having won each of their three group stage games – the only team to do so – and their confidence showed from the off as they were ahead with just four minutes gone in Yamoussoukro.

However, unable to create any breathing space between themselves and their opponents, Ivory Coast grew into the game and eventually got themselves level. With just four minutes remaining, former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe was fouled into the box by former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and, after a VAR review, a penalty was awarded before being dispatched by Franck Kessie.

Finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes, and then again after 120 minutes, the game was decided via penalty shootout. Pape, who was making his 21st appearance for his country, stepped up to take his nation’s second spot-kick and converted, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way as he set it into the left-hand corner of the net to make it 2-1 with three penalties taken.

Christian Kouamé then levelled the scores before Nottingham Forest’s Niakhate struck the post to put Ivory Coast in the driving seat. Les Elephants then scored each of their next three kicks, including one by their captain and former Spurs man Serge Aurier, to book their place in the competition’s quarter-finals.

Yves Bissouma will be in action tomorrow (Tuesday 30 January) as Mali take on Burkina Faso in the round of 16.