Referee Shoves Mali Star amid Player Conflict in Intense AFCON Match
In a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match, referee Mohamed Adel was caught shoving Hamari Traore before sending him off, adding to the intense player conflict that unfolded. The match between Ivory Coast and Mali ended with Ivory Coast emerging as 2-1 winners in extra-time, securing their place in the semi-finals. However, the post-match antics and the referee’s actions have marred the competition.
Late Drama and Controversial Calls
The tension reached its peak during stoppage time when Mali won a corner after Oumar Diakite’s late winner. Referee Adel blew the whistle for full-time just moments later, sparking protests from the Malian players. Traore, in particular, confronted the Egyptian match official, leading to his straight red card. In footage captured, Adel can be seen pushing Traore in self-defense amidst the escalating tensions on the pitch.
The Role of Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast had their fair share of ups and downs throughout the match but managed to secure victory in the end. Adama Traore missed a penalty for Mali early on, but Nene Dorgeles’ stunning curling effort put Mali in the lead during the second half. With time running out, it seemed like Mali, ranked 51st in the world, was on their way to the semi-finals. However, Simon Adingra’s equalizer in the 90th minute forced extra-time.
A Last-Minute Twist
The hosts seized their spot in the last four when Diakite scored in the second minute of stoppage time. This late goal pushed Mali out of the tournament and sparked celebrations among the Ivory Coast players. Unfortunately, Ivory Coast’s hero, Diakite, received a second yellow card after removing his shirt during the celebrations and was subsequently sent off.
Ivory Coast’s Journey to the Semi-Finals
Ivory Coast’s path to the semi-finals has been anything but straightforward. They only advanced to the knockout stages as the best fourth-best third-place team in the group stage. Uncertainty surrounding their fate led to the sacking of their boss, Jean-Louis Gasset, with Emerse Fae taking over as caretaker. Ivory Coast’s determination and resilience were evident when they knocked out holders Senegal in the Round of 16 on penalties, equalizing in the 86th minute.
Looking Ahead to the Semi-Finals
Ivory Coast will now face DR Congo in their semi-final match on Wednesday night. The winner of the Cape Verde and South Africa match will face Nigeria in the other semi-final tie. Both matches promise to be highly competitive, with the remaining teams vying for a spot in the final.
Conclusion
The Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match between Ivory Coast and Mali was filled with intense player conflict and dramatic moments. Referee Mohamed Adel’s actions, including pushing Hamari Traore before sending him off, added to the post-match antics that marred the competition. Ivory Coast’s late goal secured their place in the semi-finals, although their hero, Diakite, was subsequently sent off. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the upcoming semi-final matches, where more thrilling moments are sure to unfold.