Cote d’Ivoire midfielder, Oumar Diakite, has hailed the home fans for their crucial support in their comeback victory over Mali in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
Diakite, who scored the winning goal, acknowledged that the match was tough, but their home fans provided unwavering support throughout the grueling 120-minute battle.
“The supporters did their part, and since the start of this tournament, we have felt the backing of Ivorians. Today, we faced a tough challenge in the game, including a red card, but the fans continued to rally behind us. As players, when faced with such adversity, our only option is to give our all and strive for victory, and that’s why we emerged as winners,” he said.
Cote d’Ivoire had a player sent off in the first half and found themselves trailing by a goal.
However, they rallied to level the score and eventually clinched the win in the dying moments of extra time.
Diakite emphasized that they anticipated a difficult battle after the red card.
“We knew it was going to be tough. It presented a challenge for us, but we managed to maintain the right mindset and put in a spirited performance,” he said.
“We ran, made an effort, and ultimately, our hard work paid off. We were determined to secure this victory, and we are delighted because I scored the second goal. It brought joy to the faces of around 30,000 Ivorian fans in the stadium. Words cannot express how I feel right now, but I am thrilled,” he added.
