AFCON 2023/Quarterfinal: Mali vs Côte d’Ivoire, beyond the sports encounter, the match will be played on the political stage
Twenty-eight teams started, but only eight remain in the competition for the quarter-final phase scheduled for February 2 and 3, 2024. On the lineup, Nigeria and Angola face off in a duel that pits a powerhouse of the continent against a team that was probably not expected to reach this stage of the AFCON.
The other match features DR Congo against Guinea, two teams that have showcased remarkable performances throughout the competition. The Congo Leopards, known for their resilience even if they don’t score, are up against Guinea’s Sily National, a team that appears undaunted regardless of the opponent; a tough match is anticipated.
The third fixture of the quarter-finals is between Cape Verde and South Africa. Cape Verde, the standout team with no defeats in four matches. On the other hand, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, initially struggling to score, bounced back with a victory against Namibia and pulled off an upset by defeating Morocco (2-0) in the round of 16.
Finally, the last encounter is between Mali and Ivory Coast, a match loaded with significance. Beyond the sporting context, the game will be played on another level.
Since Alassane Ouattara’s government showed hostility towards the Malian transition led by Colonel Assimi Goïta, tensions between the two countries have been palpable, especially after the arrest in Bamako of Ivorian mercenaries disguised as soldiers with the aim of destabilizing the country. Therefore, the match is expected to be tense.
