AFCON 2024 : A Resilient Ivory Coast Dominates Senegal and Qualifies for the Quarterfinals
« Cabri mort n’a pas peur du couteau ». This Ivorian proverb is well understood by Aliou Cissé. Even though his men have sharpened their cleats, the Senegal coach is warned: Ivory Coast, even wounded, traumatized, humiliated, wants to rise from its tears on the lush field of the Charles-Konan-Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.
On Monday, January 29, the Lions of Teranga faced Elephants who had lost their defenses since the beginning of « their » Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). They found them after an unreal match by eliminating Senegal in a penalty shootout (1-1, 4-5 penalties).
This round of 16 is the match of imbalances. Senegal is the only team in the tournament that won all three group stage matches (9 points, 8 goals scored with only one conceded). However, the wise Cissé is cautious. « Our 9 points, all of that is in the past, « he pointed out in a press conference the day before the match. « We respect everyone but fear no one. We are our own enemies. We had a good start, but all of that won’t matter tomorrow; it’s over. It’s a new competition [that begins] ».
Ivory Coast, on the other hand, was the sixteenth and last team to advance to the knockout stage (3 points, 2 goals scored, and five conceded). « This resurrection truly comes from afar », acknowledged the new coach, Emerse Faé, former assistant to Jean-Louis Gasset, who stepped down after the resounding defeat against Equatorial Guinea (0-4). « It’s a second chance that God gives us. Honestly, we don’t have the right not to play this second chance to the fullest ».
