2023 AFCON: Ivory Coast knock Senegal Out On Penalties

Franck Kessie was the Ivory Coast’s hero from the bench as his composure from the penalty spot saw the Africa Cup of Nations hosts beat reigning champions Senegal 5-4 in a shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in Monday’s last-16 tie.
Kessie stepped up to side-foot home the winning spot-kick after Moussa Niakhate’s miss had given the Elephants an advantage at Stade Charles Konan Banny.
Having been left on the bench by interim coach Emerse Fae, who replaced the sacked Jean-Louis Gasset, Kessie had forced extra time with a coolly taken penalty in the 86th minute, cancelling out Habib Diallo’s early opener.
Sadio Mane had squandered a golden chance to double Senegal’s lead just prior to the Ivory Coast’s equaliser, which came after referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho overturned his decision not to penalise Edouard Mendy for a foul on Nicolas Pepe.
And though Mane hammered home Senegal’s final penalty in the shoot-out, Kessie held his nerve to complete a remarkable redemption arc for the Ivory Coast, who only snuck through the group stage thanks to results elsewhere going their way.