The Elephants of Ivory Coast have brought joy and excitement to their country after a hard-fought victory over Senegal in the Round 16 stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The match, played at Stade de Yamoussoukro, saw the national team secure a 5-4 win in a penalty shootout after an intense game that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Before the game, the Ivorian people had expressed their disappointment with the team’s performance in the group stages, having suffered two consecutive defeats to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. This dissatisfaction resulted in the sacking of head coach Jean-Louis Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant.
However, the victory over Senegal in the Round 16 clash has ignited hope and optimism among the Ivorian supporters, suggesting that the decision to change the coaching staff may have been the right one.
The game itself was filled with drama, as a strike from Habib Diallo for Senegal was canceled out by a penalty kick converted by Frank Kessie for Ivory Coast.
With no goals in extra time, the match had to be decided through a penalty shootout, where the hosts displayed their skill and composure to secure a thrilling 5-4 victory.
The Elephants’ triumph over Senegal has propelled them to the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON, where they will look to continue their winning momentum and make their nation proud.
