Rabat – Host country Cote d’Ivoire defeated Mali in today’s highly anticipated and politically charged West African clash to seal its ticket to next week’s AFCON semi-finals.
Nene Dorgeles scored the Malian goal in the 71st minute with a powerful and sublime long-range shot that might as well end up becoming the tournament’s best goal.
Mali dominated possession in the first half, relegating the host nation to dangerous and energy-sucking defensive plays which eventually led to a red card in the final quarter of the first half.
With one man down and the Malians constantly and dangerously on their shoulders, the Ivorians gave the impression of being on the verge of living a repeat of their group stage humiliation to Equatorial Guinea.
Yet while Mali’s Eagles dictated tempo and repeatedly took the game to a now depleted and panicking Ivorian side, they ultimately failed to muster a goal that would add comfort and more belief to their domination.
Opta, the widely respected sports analytics website, had predicted a Malian win this thrilling West African derby. Yet as Mali struggled to make the most of their man-advantage and superior possession, the match was starting to look like one of those dull goalless draws that would go all the way to the penalty shootouts.
But the Malian goal came in the end. And when it did, in the final quarter of the second half, it was courtesy of a perfectly curled long-range shot that left the Ivorian defense and goalkeeper helpless, almost in admiration.
The beautiful, commanding goal instilled more belief and determination in the Malian ranks. For their part, although they looked out of ideas and bereft of energy or belief to strike back, the Ivorains refused to die: they clung to the hope of an unlikely, liberating equalizer.
In the end, the dead-looking Ivorian side suddenly came back to life in the game’s final minutes. Not only did they equalize in the 90th minute courtesy of a Simon Adingra goal, but they were also now starting to emerge as the better and more inspired side.
To add insult and trepidation to Mali’s shock, Oumar Diakite scored a last-gasp winner for Cote d’Ivoire just one minute from the end of additional time. The Ivorian forward celebrated with tears of happiness and redemption, while the home crowd and the Ivorian bench went mad as they struggled to make sense of what had just happened before their eyes.
Sheer belief and determination finally got the host nation to the finishing line in this pulsating and political regional derby.
But while this has been an AFCON of surprises and last-minute drama, it has been a story of resurrection from the dead for the Ivorians. And now, only DR Congo stands between the once ridiculed host nation and the final of this thrilling AFCON.
