Hommam Al Nassim 
Hosts Ivory Coast achieved a dramatic nine-man victory at the expense of Mali after a 2-1 extension on Saturday evening, in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations.
In the details of the meeting, Adama Traore missed a penalty kick in favor of Mali in the 17th minute, while Ivory Coast’s Odilon Cosono received a second yellow card to play the “elephants” with ten players since the 43rd minute, and the first half ended in a goalless draw.
In the second forks, Mali opened the scoring through Dorgiles Nene in the 71st minute, and the match was almost on its way to the Malians had it not been for the hosts’ late goal in the 90th minute with Simon Adengra’s foot to make the score (1-1) and the match is heading to extra time.
In the first extra half, chances did not result in goals, while Ivory Coast’s deadly goal came in the 120th minute when Sekou Fofana hit a ball that was changed by Omar Diakite with a wonderful touch from his heel to find the net, and the match ended (2-1), and the hosts qualified for the semi-finals.
It is noteworthy that Diakate was expelled after scoring the second goal for his country for receiving a second yellow card after taking off the shirt while celebrating, to end the match with nine men.
In the semi-finals, Ivory Coast will face DR Congo, who in turn beat Guinea 3-1 in the quarter-finals.