Mali coach Sekou Chelle has shed light on the reason why a member of the technical team poured water on his head following their defeat against Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Elephant came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Mali, progressing to the semifinals of the continental showpiece.
Mali initially took the lead through Nene Dorgeles’ curling strike, but the host country managed to stage a comeback, ultimately clinching the victory.
Brighton forward Simon Adingra scored a crucial goal in stoppage time, forcing the game into extra time. Ivory Coast then sealed their triumph with a header from Diakite in the dying moments of extra time.
A video capturing the moment when water was poured on Chelle’s head after the game quickly went viral, prompting the coach to provide an explanation for the incident.
“After the Elephants’ second goal, I started to feel dizzy, and my blood pressure was rising,” he said. “Thankfully, my compatriot poured enough water on my head to stabilize my blood pressure.”
Chelle will likely be looking to bounce back from this defeat when the AFCON returns to Morocco next year.
