Feb 3, 2024 at 8:43 PM Update: 6 days ago
Cape Verde’s fairy tale at the African Cup of Nations is over. The ‘Blue Sharks’ lost to South Africa in the quarter-finals on Saturday via penalties. Host country Ivory Coast escaped elimination and won 2-1 once morest Mali thanks to a late goal in extra time.
Cape Verde and South Africa were evenly matched in the first half in the Ivorian capital Yamoussoukro. After the break, the Cape Verdeans had the best chances, but Garry Rodrigues, among others, did not have his sights set.
In injury time, Benchimol was close to scoring for Cape Verde, but his effort hit the post via goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. This required an extension. South Africa initially had the best chances, but keeper Vozinha kept his team going.
After that, no more goals were scored, so a penalty shootout had to decide the match. Goalkeeper Williams played a hero’s role by saving four Cape Verde penalties, including that of Laros Duarte, and South Africa won 2-1.
Four Rotterdam natives are active in Cape Verde, the brothers Laros and Deroy Duarte, Rodrigues and Jamiro Monteiro. Rodrigues and Monteiro had a starting place and were substituted before the end of regular playing time. Laros Duarte came on in the second half and Deroy Duarte remained on the bench.
South Africa will face Nigeria in the semi-finals on Wednesday. ‘The Super Eagles’ won 1-0 once morest Angola on Friday.
8:02Play button
Summary: South Africa goalkeeper stops 4 Cape Verde penalties
Ivory Coast escapes elimination
Earlier in the day, Mali had the perfect opportunity to take the lead once morest Ivory Coast following fifteen minutes of play in Bouaké. Adama Traoré was allowed to take a penalty, but his effort was saved by Yahia Fofana.
Just before half time, Ivory Coast had to continue with ten men. Odilon Kossounou received his second yellow card, following having already been punished for causing the penalty earlier in the match.
Twenty minutes before the end, Mali took advantage of the surplus situation. Nene Dorgeles shot the ball beautifully into the top right corner from distance. Ivory Coast was close to elimination, but just before the end Simon Adingra scored the equalizer following a nice move.
In extra time, Sébastien Haller almost gave the Ivorians the lead, but his header hit the crossbar. The match seemed to be heading for a penalty shootout, but in extra time Oumar Diakité scored ‘De Olifants’ to win.
Ivory Coast finished the game with nine men and Mali with ten men. Diakité received a second yellow card following his goal and Hamari Traoré received a direct red card in Mali. In the semi-finals, Ivory Coast will play once morest the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, which won 3-1 once morest Guinea on Friday.
3:00Play button
