• Monday, 23 December 2024
Ivory coast proceed to Afcon Semis after Diakite's 122nd minute goal

Ivory coast proceed to Afcon Semis after Diakite's 122nd minute goal

Host nation Ivory Coast produced another amazing Africa Cup of Nations escape act as Oumar Diakite'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 Adingra's opportunistic finish - and won it with virtually the last kick of extra time when Diakite diverted home Seko Fofana's shot.

Diakite 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 (20:00 GMT).

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.

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