Host nation Ivory Coast scripts an Afcon fairy tale by defeating Nigeria to be crowned champions

Full-time: Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast

What an incredible fairy-tale journey it has been for Ivory Coast.

Counted out and seemingly buried in the group stages, they found a stroke of luck, advancing via the best third-place route.

Tonight, they emerge as champions, with Sebastian Haller's remarkable return to professional football after overcoming testicular cancer in January 2023 culminating in the winning goal.

This victory marks Ivory Coast's third Africa Cup of Nations crown, a triumph nine years after their last in 2015.

To achieve this feat on home soil adds an extra layer of significance to their epic journey.

81 min: GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!

It just had to be him. Haller with the final touch on a gorgeous teasing cross from Adingra's cross with Troos-Ekong failing to deal with the Ivorian striker while Nwabali is as still as a tree as he had no chance to palm that to safety. 

The stadium erupts with joy as the Nigerian bench bodies slouch and faces are covered with hands. 

All the emotions. What a finale we've had here. 

Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast

75 min: Cooling break as the scores still deadlocked at 1-1 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

As the players take a break for drinks and receive words of wisdom from their coaches, it could potentially mark one final intermission in this tournament. However, the question remains: Will we be heading to extra time, extending the drama even further?

62 min: GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!

Abidjan erupts in celebration as the tournament hosts find the equalizer! Franck Kessie capitalizes on poor marking to nod his country back into contention.

Positioned just eight yards out, Kessie finds himself completely unmarked. The overwhelming majority of fans in the stadium are ecstatic, paying little attention to Nigeria's defensive lapses as they jubilantly cheer on their team.

HALF-TIME: Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast

As the halftime whistle blew, Nigeria's players remained on the pitch, forming a tight-knit huddle. Their first-half performance undoubtedly pleased them, as they dictated the game's flow. However, Ivory Coast is expected to mount a comeback in the second half. With their commanding performance, Nigeria seems to have one hand on the title, but the game is far from over.

At this year's Afcon, Nigeria's goalscorer, William Troost-Ekong, has found the net three times. This impressive tally surpasses his goal-scoring record during his entire tenure spanning 68 appearances across three seasons at Watford, where he managed one less goal.

42 min: Prior to the goal, there was an electric atmosphere reverberating throughout the stadium, filled with anticipation and excitement.

However, the mood swiftly shifted to one of tension and nervousness, accompanied by a hint of anxiety among the home supporters. Such emotions are natural in such high-stakes encounters.

38 min: GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!

Haller's errant pass gifted possession to the opposition, allowing Sanusi to collect the ball inside the box. Despite being at an acute angle on the left side, Sanusi attempted a shot, but it was deflected, resulting in a corner kick.

The ensuing corner was initially cleared with a header, but the ball looped back into a dangerous area in front of the six-yard box. Troost-Ekong capitalized on the opportunity, timing his run perfectly and unleashing a powerful header into the net to put his team ahead.

33 min: As the Elephants surge forward down the left flank, Adingra finds himself with space inside the box, allowing him to unleash a shot from a tight angle. However, Nwabali reacts quickly, pushing the ball wide to deny Adingra's attempt, resulting in a corner for the Ivory Coast.

25 min: A bit of a kerfuffle here. Osimhen's frustration boils over, sparking a heated exchange with Kossounou as tempers flare on the pitch. Gesturing vehemently, Osimhen protests, alleging that the Ivory Coast defender used his arm in the challenge.

Despite the intensity of the confrontation, the referee intervenes to defuse the situation, awarding a free kick to the Super Eagles. Remarkably, amidst the heated exchange, no cards are shown by the match official. 

10 min: A genuine fast start by the hosts Ivory Coast, who have been rejuvenated ever since cracking the nod by the best third-place team. This is how Nigeria will likely prefer it to be this way.

They've always been slow starters, soaking up all the pressure before putting a potion together of a flood of attacks midway through the first half or in the second stanza. 

This will be a tactical battle of who can remain mentally strong and focused. 

1 min: And we're off. Match 52 - and the final one of what has been an incredible tournament - is now underway.

Aurier back to captain Ivory Coast after suspension

Serge Aurier returns from suspension to captain hosts Ivory Coast in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final against Victor Osimhen's Nigeria.

Aurier, who has just signed for Galatasaray of Turkey, missed the Elephants' 1-0 semi-final win over the Democratic Republic of Congo due to a ban along with Odilon Kossounou, who was sent off against Mali in the previous round.

Wilfried Singo and Willy Boly, who had been struggling with a hamstring problem, are the two players to make way, while semi-final match-winner Sebastien Haller leads the attack.

Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro also makes two changes to his side following the semi-final win on penalties against South Africa.

AC Milan's Samuel Chukwueze is preferred to Moses Simon in attack, while Porto's Zaidu Sanusi has been passed fit and starts at left wing-back instead of Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Osimhen, the reigning African footballer of the year, leads the front line as Nigeria look to repeat their win over the Ivorians in the group stage and claim a fourth continental title.

Ivory Coast are aiming to become the first host nation to win the AFCON since 2006 as they seek a third title.

Starting line-ups:

Nigeria (3-4-3): Stanley Nwabali; Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong (capt), Calvin Bassey; Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Zaidu Sanusi; Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman

Coach: Jose Peseiro (POR)

Ivory Coast (4-3-3): Yahia Fofana; Serge Aurier (capt), Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan; Franck Kessie, Jean Michael Seri, Seko Fofana; Max-Alain Gradel, Sebastien Haller, Simon Adingra

Coach: Emerse Fae (CIV)

Referee: Dahane Beida (MTN)

Osimhen's Nigeria and hosts Ivory Coast ready for Afcon final

The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) concludes on Sunday as Ivory Coast aim to complete a remarkable turnaround in fortunes by becoming the first host nation to win the title in 18 years when they meet the Nigeria of Victor Osimhen in the final.

The match starts at 22:00 (SA time) at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on the outskirts of Abidjan, Ivory Coast's economic capital, the venue where Nigeria defeated the tournament hosts 1-0 during the group stage.

After a month of competition, the most thrilling Afcon in recent memory has thrown up a fascinating heavyweight final showdown between two West African footballing powerhouses.

Eleven years after they were last crowned continental champions, Nigeria are aiming to win their fourth title and, in doing so, match the tally of old rivals Ghana - only Egypt with seven, and Cameroon with five, have won the Cup of Nations more often.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will match Nigeria on three titles if they emerge victorious at the Cup of Nations for the first time since 2015.

The Elephants are the first host nation to make it to the final since 2006, when Egypt defeated the Ivorians on penalties in Cairo to take the trophy.

Yet they very nearly became just the second host country in 30 years to go out in the group stage after a disastrous 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea on January 22, their heaviest ever home defeat.

The shellshocked Ivorians parted company with coach Jean-Louis Gasset, all hope of reaching the last 16 apparently gone, before being rescued as a series of favourable results elsewhere allowed them to go through among the best third-placed sides.

Under interim coach Emerse Fae, their revival has been quite incredible.

Ivory Coast eliminated holders Senegal on penalties in capital Yamoussoukro in the last 16, then came from behind - despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half - to beat Mali 2-1 in Bouake in the quarter-finals, with a winner right at the end of extra time.

They then returned to Ebimpe to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo in the semis thanks to a solitary Sebastien Haller strike.

'Backs against the wall'

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," said Haller, the Borussia Dortmund striker, on Saturday.

"When you sink as low as we did, we no longer had any choice. Our backs were against the wall. We had to take a good look at ourselves and sort things out."

Fae had never managed a team before being thrust into the spotlight mid-tournament.

A player alongside Didier Drogba and the Toure brothers in the Elephants side that lost that 2006 final, Fae is now hoping to follow in the footsteps of Senegal's Aliou Cisse, who also lost a final as a player before winning as coach in Cameroon in 2022.

"We have a great opportunity to keep the trophy at home," said Fae, who must surely now be a contender to take the job on a permanent basis whatever the outcome on Sunday.

Ivory Coast's chaotic campaign has been in stark contrast to that of Nigeria under their veteran Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro.

Injuries and unconvincing form meant there were serious doubts about the Super Eagles coming into the tournament.

They began with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, but Peseiro responded by deploying a new system featuring three central defenders, and the results have been outstanding.

Nigeria have only conceded one goal in their last five matches, and that was a penalty in the semi-final against South Africa.

Reigning African footballer of the year Osimhen has only scored one goal at this Afcon, but his tireless performances have been eye-catching with the Napoli striker clearly driven by a burning desire to win the title.

"We are happy with what we have done so far but now we just want to win," admitted Peseiro on Saturday.

Nigeria were waiting on the fitness of wing-back Zaidu Sanusi, while Fae revealed that several Ivory Coast players had been struggling with knocks after the semi-final.

However, Serge Aurier, Odilon Kossounou, Christian Kouame and Oumar Diakite will hope to return after missing the DR Congo tie due to suspension.

- AFP

Osimhen ahead of final - 'I need to win something with the Super Eagles'

Victor Osimhen's Nigeria stand in the way of Ivory Coast in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final, as the tournament hosts aim to complete the most remarkable of turnarounds by lifting the trophy. The most thrilling AFCON in recent memory concludes at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium, on the dusty outskirts of Abidjan, with a heavyweight showdown between two West African footballing powerhouses.

Eleven years after they were last crowned continental champions, Nigeria is hoping to win its fourth title and, in doing so, match the tally of old rival Ghana. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will join the Super Eagles on three titles if they become the first host nation to lift the trophy since Egypt beat them on penalties in 2006. Their journey just to get to this stage has been unlike almost anything that has come before in the history of major international tournament football.

After beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in the opening game on January 13, things began to go awry when they lost 1-0 to Nigeria in a close-fought encounter five days later. The Elephants then found themselves on the brink of becoming just the second Cup of Nations hosts in the last 30 years to be eliminated in the group stage after a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.

It was their heaviest-ever home defeat, and it cost veteran French coach Jean-Louis Gasset his job. Yet a combination of favourable results elsewhere allowed them to squeeze through to the last 16 as the last of the four best third-placed teams.

'Like a dream'

Former player Emerse Fae became interim coach after an audacious attempt to hire Herve Renard on a short-term deal failed, and Ivory Coast ousted holders Senegal on penalties in his first game.

A crazy quarter-final followed, with the 10-man Ivorians beating Mali 2-1 thanks to a winning goal in added time in extra time. In his first start of the tournament after injury, Sebastien Haller then scored the only goal in a 1-0 defeat of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last four, taking Ivory Coast into their first final since they won the trophy under Renard in 2015.

"It's like a dream, when you go back two weeks to the defeat here against Equatorial Guinea," said Fae after the semi-final.

"It was hard then to imagine that we might qualify for the final of our own Afcon."

Yet they have done it, and so like in their last final appearance in 2013 -- when they defeated Burkina Faso in South Africa -- Nigeria will play in the tournament's deciding game against a side they also faced in the group stage.

That 1-0 win over the Ivorians, when captain William Troost-Ekong netted a penalty, was what kickstarted the Super Eagles' campaign here.

They had come into the tournament hampered by a succession of injury call-offs, and with a coach who had been the target of stinging criticism back home.

Tactical switch

A 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their first game did little to ease the pressure on veteran Portuguese tactician Jose Peseiro, but a switch to a three-man central defence paid dividends against the Ivorians, and he has stuck with that system since.

As a result, Nigeria recorded four straight wins -- all with clean sheets -- on the way to the semi-final, when they beat South Africa on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Napoli star Osimhen, the reigning African footballer of the year, is now just one game away from being an AFCON winner in what has often been a frustrating tournament for the 25-year-old.

He struck 10 times in qualifying but has not scored in Ivory Coast since netting in the opening game, although he has had three goals disallowed.

Nevertheless, Osimhen's tireless performances have been eye-catching, and in any case, the masked striker has always insisted that collective glory is all that matters.

"I always say this -- it has been with me since growing up -- I need to win something with the Super Eagles," Osimhen told broadcaster Canal Plus Afrique.

"Football is one of the only things that brings joy to the country. We know a lot of people have had to work so hard just to be able to watch this game.

"I am really happy that we are able to put smiles on their faces. Now we have one more final to go, and we will give everything to try to win it."

- AFP

Sebastian Haller fires hosts Ivory Coast into Africa Cup of Nations final

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae described his team's achievement in winning through to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations as being "like a dream" after the tournament hosts beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in Wednesday's last-four encounter.

ebastien Haller scored the only goal of the game in the 65th minute at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium to take Ivory Coast through to Sunday's final against Nigeria.

It is a remarkable turnaround for the Elephants, who were on the brink of elimination after losing 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea at the same stadium in their final group match on January 22.

"We are happy, we're really moved. It's like a dream, when you go back two weeks to the defeat here against Equatorial Guinea," said Fae.

"It was hard then to imagine that we might qualify for the final of our own AFCON."

That defeat was Ivory Coast's heaviest ever home loss and they looked certain to be eliminated in the first round, only to scrape through as the last of the four best third-placed teams thanks to Morocco winning their last group game against Zambia.

Coach Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked following the Equatorial Guinea debacle and so Fae, who had been an assistant, was promoted to the role of interim coach.

Under him, Ivory Coast beat holders Senegal on penalties in the last 16, and then came from behind to beat Mali in extra time in the quarter-finals, despite playing most of that match with 10 men.

"As long as you still have a five or 10 percent chance you need to keep believing, because that is what makes football beautiful," said midfielder Franck Kessie, who was named man of the match against DR Congo.

"After the Morocco result we knew we had qualified and that changed everything.

"It gave us the strength we needed, it boosted us. We knew we couldn't do worse than in the first round."

- AFP

Nigeria star Osimhen a doubt for Afcon semi-final against SA

Nigeria star Victor Osimhen is a major doubt for the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against South Africa in Bouake on Wednesday, team officials said.

Napoli striker Osimhen did not fly on Monday with the rest of the squad for Bouake due to abdominal discomfort, a statement issued by Super Eagles spokesman Babafemi Raji said.

"Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him," the statement read.

The reigning African Player of the Year did not train on Monday evening before the team's departure from Abidjan.

Osimhen was substituted late in the quarter-final against Angola at the weekend.

The 25-year-old has scored a goal and provided an assist in the tournament.

- AFP

Egypt sack head coach after disappointing Afcon

Rui Vitoria has been sacked as Egypt head coach after the African football giants hopes of a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations triumph were dashed last week, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced.

In a statement, the EFA board of directors "thanked Portuguese manager Rui Vitoria and his staff," adding it was "reviewing foreign coaches' resumes".

In the interim, former al-Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef would take charge of the national side, who were knocked out of the competition last week in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The loss in the last 16 was a bitter pill for the Egyptians, who had gone to Ivory Coast hoping to win a first Cup of Nations since 2010, a year before talisman Mohamed Salah made his senior international debut.

The team had already lost the Liverpool star to a hamstring injury, after what local pundits called a lacklustre group stage performance with three draws.

The EFA had last week "apologised" to Egyptian fans for "not achieving their ambitions". Vitoria, whose tenure with the Pharoahs lasted under two years, is among a host of Afcon coaches on their way out.

The tournament has been a success for the continent's underdogs, and disappointing for its heavyweights.

The five top-ranked African nations were all knocked out before the quarter-finals, as well as the four semi-finalists from the last edition.  

- AFP

Hosts Ivory Coast beat Mali to reach AFCON semi-finals

A back-heel goal by Oumar Diakite in added time at the end of extra time gave hosts Ivory Coast a 2-1 win over Mali in Bouake on Saturday after a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.

Reduced to 10 men by a red card at the end of the first half, the Ivorians fell behind in the second half to a Nene Dorgeles goal only for Simon Adingra to equalise in the 90th minute.

The result marked another upward turn for the Ivory Coast in a roller coaster AFCON campaign in which they scraped into the knockout stage after a 4-0 hiding from Equatorial Guinea.

It was a heartbreaking outcome for Mali, who dominated for long periods and, despite missing a penalty, seemed set to maintain a record of never losing a Cup of Nations quarter-final.

Ivory Coast now return to Abidjan, where they will face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday in the semi-finals, but Diakite is set to miss out after picking up a second yellow card while celebrating his winning goal.

This was the sixth meeting of the countries in the AFCON with the two-time champions Ivory Coast winning four and drawing one previously against rivals whose best showing was 1972 runners-up.

Ivory Coast caretaker coach Emerse Fae made three changes to the lineup that started in the dramatic last-16 penalty shootout triumph over defending champions Senegal.

In came midfielder Franck Kessie, scorer of the winning penalty, winger Nicolas Pepe and forwards Christian Kouame in place of Ibrahim Sangare, Oumar Diakite and Jean-Philippe Krasso.

Mali had one enforced change to the team that defeated Burkina Faso to set up the west African showdown with Diadie Samassekou replacing ill Mohamed Camara in midfield.

Mali made light of the fact that the majority of the capacity 40,000 crowd in the central city were supporting the host nation and established early dominance.

The Eagles had an appeal for a penalty rejected after the ball struck the outstretched hand of Odilon Kossounou because there had been an earlier offside.

But when Kossounou fouled Lassine Sinayoko, the Egyptian referee pointed to the spot only for Adama 'Noss' Traore to have his 17th-minute penalty saved by Youssouf Fofana.

Ivory Coast were battling to create chances until just before half-time when Seko Fofana blazed over when offered a good chance just outside the area.

A troubled first half for Kossounou got worse on 44 minutes when shown a yellow card for the second time, after clipping Sinayoko, and was sent off.

Fae immediately brought on Wilfried Singo to bolster the defence with Pepe sacrificed, and Ivory Coast were lucky to still be level when the half ended.

Mali attacked continuously against 10 men and finally broke the deadlock when Dorgeles raced across the pitch and from just outside the D unleashed a shot that flew past Fofana.

Substitute Diakite came close to levelling, with his header from a corner finishing just off target.

Diakite was involved in the last-gasp equaliser with Adingra pouncing on a deflection off Boubakar Kouyate inside the area and hammering the ball past goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.

Another Ivorian substitute, Sebastien Haller, headed against the crossbar in the first half of extra time.

- AFP

Masuaku free-kick clinch Afcon semi-final place for DRC

Former West Ham United defender Arthur Masuaku scored a vital goal as the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Guinea 3-1 on Friday to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

Masuaku netted direct from a free-kick on 82 minutes to give his country a two-goal advantage in the quarter-final and they will face hosts Ivory Coast or Mali for a place in the title decider.

Mohamed Bayo gave Guinea a 20th-minute lead from a penalty which was cancelled by DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba soon after in Abidjan.

Brentford forward Yoane Wissa put the Congolese ahead on 65 minutes from the second penalty of the match, then Masuaku effectively settled the outcome.

"This is not a Cup of Nations of surprises. It is a Cup of Nations of hard work," France-born DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre said before and again after the last-eight clash.

When he took over last year, the Congolese were in danger of not even making it to the Ivory Coast after losses to Gabon and Sudan.

Under Desabre, they won their remaining four qualifiers.

History suggested that the first AFCON tournament meeting between the countries in 20 years would be close as three previous matches produced a 2-1 win for each and a 2-2 draw.

The Congolese Leopards reached the last eight without winning a match. They finished runners-up to Morocco in Group F after three draws before edging seven-time champions Egypt via penalties.

Guinea qualified as the best of the four third-placed qualifiers, then Bayo scored the second latest regular-time goal so far to eliminate Equatorial Guinea.

Both coaches made one change from the last-16 starting line-ups with DR Congo promoting centre-back Henock Inonga and Guinea upgrading former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita.

Serhou Guirassy, scorer of 17 Bundesliga goals this season for Stuttgart, once again started on the bench for the Guinean National Elephants.

In a first half as closely contested as anticipated, Guinea went ahead on 20 minutes when Bayo recovered having been fouled by Mbemba to convert the resultant penalty.

The lead lasted only seven minutes, however, before captain Mbemba connected with a corner to the far post and rifled the ball past goalkeeper Ibrahima Kone from a tight angle.

Guinea coach Kaba Diawara would have been slightly happier than his opposite number, Desabre, at half-time as his team had more possession and goals attempts.

Having trailed to a penalty, the Congolese went ahead on 65 minutes from another spot-kick with Wissa scoring after Julian Jeanvier tripped substitute Silas Mvumpa.

With 20 minutes remaining, Diawara introduced Guirassy, having early in the second half brought on 18-year-old Facinet Conte.

A balanced quarter-final took a decisive turn when a free-kick by Masuaku near the touchline drifted into the net at the near post off the hand of surprised Kone.

On Saturday, hosts and two-time champions Ivory Coast face Mali in Bouake and 1996 title-holders South Africa meet Cape Verde in Yamoussoukro in the other quarter-finals.

 - AFP

Lookman goal takes Nigeria into Afcon semi-finals

Ademola Lookman scored his third goal in two games as Nigeria advanced to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday with a 1-0 victory over Angola in the last eight.

Lookman again stole the limelight from Victor Osimhen by following his brace in the 2-0 defeat of Cameroon in the last 16 by breaking the deadlock four minutes before half-time at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.

The Super Eagles then saw the game out before a crowd of 18,757 in Abidjan, with Osimhen finding the net only for his effort to be disallowed after the VAR ruled him to be offside.

The Napoli superstar, Africa's reigning footballer of the year, remains stuck on just one goal at this AFCON, but Nigeria's success has been built around an impressive defence that has now kept four consecutive clean sheets.

The three-time continental champions advance to a last-four tie next Wednesday against Cape Verde or South Africa in the central Ivorian city of Bouake -- those sides meet in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Angola, meanwhile, will go home, but this Cup of Nations will be remembered as a success for the Black Antelopes after they won a knockout tie at the tournament for the first time in their history.

Africa's 28th-ranked side battled bravely here but could not follow up their victory over Namibia in the last round.

In fact, Jose Peseiro's Nigeria side struggled to reach the same heights as against Cameroon six days earlier, undoubtedly affected by the heat and humidity, which was even more energy-sapping than at previous points in the competition.

Angola almost took the lead inside four minutes, as a corner from their right was helped on to Mabululu, whose attempt at the near-post was kept out by Stanley Nwabili, the Nigerian goalkeeper who had passed a fitness test to play.

Osimhen tried his luck twice from headers but it was Lookman, the Atalanta forward and former England Under-21 international, who broke the deadlock in the 41st minute.

Moses Simon collected a pass on the left, accelerated away from Kialonda Gaspar and drove into the area before cutting the ball back for Lookman to finish emphatically.

Nigeria continued to create chances after the break, but Angola did pass up a glorious opportunity to draw level just before the hour mark.AEK Athens striker Zini, on as a half-time substitute, was sent through on goal, and his effort beat Nwabili, only to rebound back off the far post.

It was a major let-off for Nigeria, who thought they had killed the game off when Osimhen rose to head home a Lookman free-kick with quarter of an hour left, the ball going in despite the Angolan goalkeeper getting a touch.

However, the effort was disallowed, to the frustration of Osimhen, who carried on until the final moments despite taking a succession of knocks and being carried to the side of the pitch on a stretcher at one point.

- AFP

Africa Cup of Nations: Goal glut, jet-set Motsepe, Broos' double chase and Yaya's faith in Bafana

From endless shock results to a goal glut and vibrant crowds, it has been an action-packed Africa Cup of Nations, and there are still eight matches to go in the Ivory Coast.

Here, we capture some highlights from a Confederation of African Football president who does not miss a match to stars proud that they are making struggling compatriots happier.

Scoring feast

The record number of goals scored in a 24-team Cup of Nations is 102 at the 2019 tournament in Egypt, where Nigerian Odion Ighalo was the leading individual with five.

But that mark has already been overtaken in the Ivory Coast, where there have been 105 goals in 44 matches, and there are another eight knockout games to come.

Emilio Nsue, a 34-year-old who plays in the Spanish third division, tops the charts with five goals but cannot increase his tally as Equatorial Guinea were last-16 losers.

Mobile CAF president

As the TV cameras scanned the crowds at the eight last-16 ties across the West African country, one person was visible at each match -- CAF president Patrice Motsepe from South Africa.

Traditionally, the top African football official would attend one venue each day, but billionaire businessman Motsepe has taken match attendance to a new level.

Explaining how Motsepe could watch matches in northern city Korhogo and southwestern city San-Pedro in the same evening, a CAF official said Motsepe uses a private jet.

Broos eyes double

Frenchman Herve Renard is the only coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two countries, guiding Zambia to glory in 2012 and repeating the feat with the Ivory Coast three years later.

Now, veteran Belgian Hugo Broos has a chance to equal the record with South Africa, having taken Cameroon to the title in 2017.

Charles Gyamfi of Ghana and Hassan Shehata of Egypt hold the record for Cup of Nations titles with three each.

Hardship to happiness

A common thread among the many giant killers in the Ivory Coast has been the joy players feel at bringing some happiness to fellow countrymen battling daily financial hardship.

Many Africans are struggling as the cost of living soars, so Cup of Nations victories in a continent where football is the dominant sport bring joy, with instant street parties common.

"Economically, times are tough for many Angolans, so it is great to hear that our successes have lifted spirits back home," said captain Fredy ahead of a last-eight clash with Nigeria.

Yaya backs Bafana

While victory for South Africa over 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco on Tuesday took many followers by surprise, Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure was not among them.

Speaking before the tournament kicked off, the former Manchester City midfield star included Bafana Bafana among the teams he believed could go far in the competition.

Claude Le Roy, the Frenchman who coached at nine previous Cup of Nations tournaments with six different countries, also backed 1996 champions South Africa to be serious contenders.

- AFP

African heavyweights tumble like dominoes at Afcon

From Ivory Coast's remarkable resurrection to heavyweight exits and underdog successes, there may never have been a more unpredictable major international football tournament than the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

The last 16 concluded on Tuesday with the continent's top-ranked team, 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, being dumped out by South Africa after Achraf Hakimi missed a crucial late penalty.

Tournament hosts Ivory Coast returned from the dead, narrowly escaping a humiliating elimination in the group stage, but this Afcon has already proven to be a graveyard for many of the traditional powerhouses.

"It is not the end of the world," insisted defeated Morocco coach Walid Regragui, whose country will host the next Cup of Nations.

"We are not the only ones. Lots of the favourites have been eliminated. We will come back stronger."

The three most successful teams in the history of the competition are out - Egypt, Cameroon and Ghana have 16 titles between them but the first two were sent packing in the last 16 after the Black Stars limped out in the group stage.

All five of Africa's representatives at the 2022 World Cup have already gone home.

Senegal's exit on penalties at the hands of Ivory Coast continues a trend which has seen no reigning champion win a knockout tie at the Cup of Nations since Egypt in 2010.

Indeed, the last three champions have all been eliminated, with Algeria exiting in the group stage for the second AFCON in a row following their triumph in 2019.

Hakimi, Mane, Salah out  

Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane and Hakimi, four of the very biggest stars of African football, will watch the rest of the tournament on television, if they can even bring themselves to do so.

Most remarkably, none of the quarter-finalists at the last edition, two years ago in Cameroon, have reached the last eight this time.

That might suggest that the decision to expand the competition to 24 teams - a change brought in from the 2019 edition in Egypt - has helped make many smaller nations more competitive and created a greater strength in depth across Africa.

"There are no small teams anymore" has quickly become a bland cliche, and yet there is some truth to it.

In terms of pedigree, two names stand out among the quarter-finalists.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, have impressed with African player of the year Victor Osimhen leading from the front.

They look good bets for a fourth title, 11 years after their last, although there is a danger that might be a little too logical, given how the competition has been going.

Ivory Coast - the only one of the top seeds when the draw was made who are still alive - have twice been champions, including as recently as 2015.

They also have the advantage that supposedly comes with playing at home.

Then again no host country has won the Afcon since Egypt in 2006, and the Elephants have been a basket case, suffering their heaviest ever home defeat as they almost went out in the first round, and then sacking their coach.

History-makers  

Three of the last eight are into the quarter-finals after winning a Cup of Nations knockout tie for the very first time.

Angola, ranked 28th in Africa, will measure themselves against Osimhen's Super Eagles, while Guinea face the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Most striking of all has been the run of Cape Verde, the tiny Atlantic Ocean island nation with a population of 600 000.

They beat Ghana and drew with Egypt on the way to topping their group, before seeing off Mauritania.

Helped by players of Cape Verdean heritage born in countries such as Portugal, France, the Netherlands and Ireland, the Blue Sharks have been outstanding and face South Africa next.

"You can see that it is not easy for the big footballing nations to win games either now," Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes told Canal Plus Afrique.

"They have players who play for big clubs, but us so-called small teams play with a lot of heart, and we have a lot of quality at the same time.

"We don't have the same status, but we do have love for our country as well as ability," he added.  

- AFP

Sinayoko scores as Mali set up AFCON clash with Ivory Coast

Lassine Sinayoko scored his third goal at the Africa Cup of Nations as Mali reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2013 by defeating Burkina Faso 2-1 on Monday.

An early Edmond Tapsoba own goal got Mali off to a great start in the 1ast 16 tie and Auxerre's Sinayoko doubled the lead just after half-time.Bertrand Traore reduced arrears from a penalty for Burkina Faso, who had the ball in the net again only for Issoufou Dayo to be ruled offside.

Mali, who have had two first round and two last-16 exits since finishing third 11 years ago, face hosts Ivory Coast in Bouake on Saturday with a semi-final place on the line.

Premier League duo Yves Bissouma of Tottenham Hotspur and Dango Ouattara of Bournemouth both started on the bench for Mali and Burkina Faso respectively.

Mali made six changes from the side that fought a 0-0 draw with Namibia to top Group E, including a new four-man midfield.

Group D runners-up Burkina Faso changed four of the side beaten 2-0 by Angola with out-of-favour Aston Villa forward Traore the captain.

This was only the second Cup of Nations meeting between the west African neighbours with Mali winning a group match 3-1 in Tunisia 20 years ago.

The match in the northern Ivorian city kicked off in 36 degrees Celsius (97 Fahrenheit) heat and Mali needed only 133 seconds to score the second fastest goal in the tournament.

A powerful Amadou Haidara header off a cross rebounded off the post, struck the left foot of Tapsoba and rebounded into the net for an own goal.

Watched by Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe from South Africa, the football rarely excited the almost-capacity 19,154 crowd until the half-hour mark.

Then, Sinayoko stung the fingers of goalkeeper Herve Koffi with a hard close-range shot that was parried.

Only Mali were threatening to score and Kamory Doumbia fired narrowly wide with a low shot from just outside the area.

They went two goals ahead two minutes into the second half as Sinayoko broke clear of Tapsoba and beat Koffi with an angled shot.

But the lead was halved on 57 minutes when Boubakar Kouyate handled a cross and Traore converted his third penalty of the tournament as Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra dived the wrong way.

France-born Burkina Faso coach Hubert Velud brought on Dango Ouattara for Traore with 13 minutes of regular time remaining as the Stallions sought an equaliser.

Long-serving defender Dayo thought he had levelled in the final minute of regular time by heading a free-kick past Diarra, but was ruled offside.

- AFP

Senegal's Diatta labels African football body 'corrupt' after Afcon exit

Senegal winger Krepin Diatta may face disciplinary action after accusing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of being "corrupt" following the reigning champions' exit from the Africa Cup of Nations on penalties to hosts Ivory Coast on Monday.

"You have killed us. You are corrupt. Keep your African Cup," Monaco winger Diatta said to CAF staff in an outburst overheard by reporters on leaving the stadium in Ivorian capital Yamoussoukro.

Ivory Coast won the last-16 tie 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, as Senegal continued a remarkable run which has seen no reigning champion win an Afcon knockout tie since Egypt claimed a third consecutive title in 2010.

Diatta was angry that Senegal were not awarded a penalty early in the second half when Ismaila Sarr went down in a tangle of legs in the Ivory Coast box with defender Odilon Kossounou.

Senegal were leading 1-0 at the time after Habib Diallo's early goal, but Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho did not point to the spot and did not come across to the pitchside monitor to review the footage.

Ivory Coast, who were themselves unhappy that Senegal star Sadio Mane escaped with a yellow card for a dangerous early challenge on Ibrahim Sangare, went on to equalise late in normal time with a spot-kick of their own which was given after a VAR check.

"You go to the VAR to give them a penalty, while our guy (Sarr) picks up the ball 40 metres from goal, goes on a run into the box and you don't want to go to the VAR?

"I'm sorry but that is going too far. I am really sorry but they have killed our competition," Diatta added.

Ivory Coast will play a quarter-final on Saturday in Bouake against Mali or Burkina Faso, who meet in the last 16 later on Tuesday.

- AFP

Hosts Ivory Coast knock holders Senegal out after Afcon thriller

Hosts Ivory Coast put a disastrous group campaign behind them on Monday to beat holders Senegal 5-4 on penalties and book an Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Mali or Burkina Faso.

A last-16 thriller ended 1-1 after extra time with Habib Diallo scoring after four minutes for Senegal and Franck Kessie equalising off a penalty four minutes from the end of regular time in Yamoussoukro.

Kessie was the shootout hero, converting the decisive kick after Moussa Niakhate had struck the post with the third Senegalese penalty.

Senegal became the seventh consecutive holders to fall victim to a Cup of Nations curse - no team since Egypt in 2008 have been able to take a title defence beyond the round of 16.

A humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea last Monday did not dampen support for the host nation with supporters queueing from the middle of the night to buy tickets in the central city.

French coach Jean-Louis Gasset was fired after the record home loss and, after failing in an attempt to bring back former coach Herve Renard, the Elephants promoted assistant Emerse Fae.

The west African showdown pitted the most and least impressive of the 16 qualifiers from the group stage against each other.

Senegal comfortably beat the Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea to top Group D, and were the only section winners to progress having secured a maximum nine points.

Ivory Coast managed only three points after also losing to Nigeria and had a minus-three goal difference, but still squeezed through as the last of the four best third-placed countries.

Fae made five changes to the team that kicked off against Equatorial Guinea, promoting Serge Aurier, Odilon Kossounou, Jean Michael Seri, Max-Alain Gradel and Jean-Philippe Krasso.

Despite defeating Guinea 2-0 in their last group game, Senegal changed three of that starting line-up with Moussa Niakhate, Abdou Diallo and Lamine Camara coming in.

The last thing mentally brittle Ivory Coast wanted to happen was conceding an early goal, but within four minutes they were a goal behind as Habib Diallo scored his second of this Afcon.

Sadio Mane crossed and Diallo controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing a rising shot past goalkeeper Youssef Fofana.

Mane was yellow-carded by the Gabonese referee five minutes later after a reckless tackle on Ibrahim Sangare, who resumed after treatment on and off the field.

Showing a huge improvement from their last match, the Ivorians gradually took control only to be thwarted by opponents who pulled all 10 outfield players back when under pressure.

Having soaked up considerable pressure, the defending champions finished the opening half strongly without being able to increase their lead.

As a tense tie entered the final quarter, Ivory Coast had more possession, but Senegal looked the likelier scorers with Ismaila Sarr having a shot parried and a penalty appeal rejected.

Amid excitement in the crowd at the introduction of Sebastien Haller, who missed the group stage through injury, Mane was just off target with a shot from close range.

When the Ivorians opted for a route-one approach, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved superbly from substitute Nicolas Pepe.

But Senegal finally cracked on 86 minutes when Mendy fouled Pepe and, after a VAR review, the referee changed his decision not to award a spot-kick and Franck Kessie calmly converted it.

Two-time African Player of the Year Mane was foiled just before half-time in extra time when his shot was smothered by Fofana.

- AFP

Late penalty takes Cape Verde into Cup of Nations quarter-finals

Cape Verde won an Africa Cup of Nations knockout tie for the first time in their history on Monday as a late Ryan Mendes penalty gave them a 1-0 victory over Mauritania in the last 16.

The match at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan was drifting towards extra time when Cape Verde won a spot-kick and captain Mendes converted with just two minutes of the 90 remaining to break Mauritania's resistance.

The Blue Sharks then held on through 10 added minutes to advance to a quarter-final on Saturday in Yamoussoukro against either Morocco or South Africa, who meet in the last 16 on Tuesday.

The tiny Atlantic Ocean island nation had got out of their group in two of their three previous appearances at the AFCON, but had never before won a knockout tie.

Mauritania had been hoping to extend their fine run in Ivory Coast, after they won a Cup of Nations match for the first time in nine attempts in their last group game, beating Algeria to eliminate one of the continent's powerhouses.

But a side coached by Amir Abdou, who took tiny Comoros to the last 16 in Cameroon two years ago, will go no further after failing to find a way past Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.

The Chinguetti Lions will look back with regret at one fine chance just before the hour mark, when Souleymane Anne was played into a great position inside the box only to put his shot over.

Cape Verde looked the more likely team as the minutes ticked down, and Mendes came very close to scoring with a header from a corner that was well saved by Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Niasse.

They were then awarded a penalty when substitute Gilson Tavares Benchimol was brought down in the box by Niasse after intercepting a poor header back from Mauritania defender Yassin El Welly.

The Egyptian referee pointed to the spot, and Mendes, of Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk, smashed home the penalty, his second goal of the tournament making history for his country.

- AFP

Last-gasp Bayo goal takes Guinea into quarter-finals

Mohamed Bayo headed in a dramatic winner in the eighth minute of injury time as Guinea beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 1-0 on Sunday to advance to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The last-16 tie at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan was heading for extra time when Bayo, of French Ligue 1 side Le Havre, struck right at the death to spark frenzied scenes of celebration among the Guinea team and their large support.

It was a historic moment for the Syli National, who had never previously won a Cup of Nations knockout tie -- they were runners-up in 1976, in an era when the final four played a round-robin format to decide the winner of the trophy.

They will now face either Egypt or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last eight in Abidjan on Friday.

But Equatorial Guinea, who had midfielder Federico Bikoro sent off in the 55th minute, will wonder what might have been had captain Emilio Nsue not squandered a penalty midway through the second half.

Their players slumped to the turf at the end while Guinea celebrated with their noisy support in a crowd of 36,340, as Abidjan's sizeable Guinean community turned out in force for the occasion.

Guinea had appeared to be handicapped by coach Kaba Diawara's decision to leave prolific VfB Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy -- scorer of 17 goals in the German Bundesliga this season -- on the bench at kick-off, with ex-Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita also dropping out.

Guirassy had missed Guinea's first two group games and was replaced again here by Bayo.

The tie only came to life in the second half, with Guinea midfielder Mory Konate heading in a free-kick in the 53rd minute only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

Moments later came the red card, with Tunisia-based Bikoro being dismissed for a reckless follow-through that saw him plant his studs into Bayo's abdomen.

Guirassy was then introduced, but it was the 10 men of Equatorial Guinea who won a penalty on 67 minutes.

The Somalian referee was summoned to the pitchside monitor after Iban Edu went down under Sekou Sylla's challenge as he tried to connect with a Pablo Ganet free-kick.

A spot-kick was duly awarded, but the competition's top scorer Nsue could not take the chance to net his sixth goal of this AFCON, sending his penalty against the post and wide.

It was to prove crucial, as Guinea instead made the extra man count by scoring right at the end of injury time when Bayo strained his neck to head in a cross by the impressive Ibrahim Diakite.

- AFP

Lookman double takes Nigeria past Cameroon and into AFCON quarters

Ademola Lookman scored both goals as Nigeria defeated old rivals Cameroon 2-0 on Saturday to march on to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Nigerians had an early Semi Ajayi goal disallowed following a VAR review in this last-16 clash before the constant pressing and bullying of the Cameroon defence by Victor Osimhen led to Lookman finding the net in the 36th minute.

A team that has become impermeable at this AFCON then kept the Indomitable Lions at bay before Lookman made sure of the victory in the 90th minute in front of 22,085 fans at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

They will now return to the same venue for a last-eight meeting next Friday with Angola, who earlier defeated Namibia 3-0.

"It was a big performance from the team, we fought well from the first minute to the 100th minute," said Lookman.

With the fearsome Osimhen leading from the front, the Super Eagles are clearly a serious threat to reigning champions Senegal as they chase a fourth continental crown.

"I am very happy with my boys. I think our team did a very good job against a very good team. We deserved to win," insisted Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro.

Meanwhile, Cameroon coach Rigobert Song said a lack of experience cost his side as they go home.

"I have a young team and players who are learning at this level," he admitted.

"They will learn and improve from their mistakes. In two or three years from now it will be the same players but a different team."

This fixture is a Cup of Nations classic, with the first three of Cameroon's five titles coming after wins over Nigeria in the final.

The very first, when a side led by Roger Milla came from behind to win 3-1 in 1984, was achieved in this same stadium in Ivory Coast's economic capital.

Yet Nigeria won the most recent encounter with their neighbours, in the last 16 in Egypt five years ago, and their current side came into this match as favourites.

The Super Eagles eased through their group unbeaten, while Cameroon needed a stoppage-time goal against Gambia to progress.

Their most recognisable name is Andre Onana, but the Manchester United goalkeeper was dropped for a second successive game, with Fabrice Ondoa of French third-tier side Nimes preferred between the posts.

Vincent Aboubakar, their skipper and main goal threat, was named among the substitutes after missing the group stage injured.

Nigeria brought back captain William Troost-Ekong, Lookman and Alex Iwobi - scorer of the winner in that 2019 tie - after all were rested for their last match against Guinea-Bissau.

Tireless Osimhen

Their pressing game caused problems for Cameroon from the off, and Nigeria thought they had taken the lead inside eight minutes.

A Moses Simon shot was saved by Ondoa but the ball broke to Ajayi and the West Bromwich Albion defender found the net despite the goalkeeper getting a touch.

Wild celebrations ensued, only for the Moroccan referee to come across to the VAR monitor and disallow the goal because Ajayi was deemed offside and interfering when the initial shot came in.

Not to be discouraged, Nigeria did not stop running, with the tireless Osimhen setting the example.

He provoked the opening goal, dispossessing Oumar Gonzalez after a throw-in had been played back towards the Cameroon defender, and then unselfishly setting up Lookman.

The Atalanta forward's shot was straight at Ondoa, but the goalkeeper could only help the ball on its way.

Osimhen slumped to the turf on the half-time whistle, but the African footballer of the year discovered the energy to go again after the restart.

Peseiro has stressed that the priority for his team has been to make sure they don't concede goals, and they stood firm despite having goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili stretchered off late on.

Aboubakar's introduction for Cameroon changed nothing, and Nigeria got the killer second just before the game moved into 10 minutes of injury time.

Calvin Bassey crossed low from the left and London-born Lookman applied the finish.

- AFP

Dala scores twice as 10-man Angola reach Afcon quarter-finals

Gelson Dala raised his Africa Cup of Nations goal tally to four with a brace for 10-man Angola in a 3-0 last-16 triumph over Namibia in Bouake on Saturday.

Surprise package Angola will face Nigeria or Cameroon, who meet later in Abidjan, in a quarter-final next Friday.

After Dala scored twice in the first half, Mabululu netted midway through the second half to effectively end as a contest the clash of southern Africa neighbours.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men by first-half red cards with Angola goalkeeper Neblu and Namibia defender Lubeni Haukongo sent off.

The winning margin was a record for Angola, bettering two-goal victories over Senegal and Malawi in previous Cup of Nations.

The first of eight second-round fixtures was not one that would have been anticipated when the African football showpiece kicked off in the Ivory Coast 14 days ago.

Angola won a group ahead of Burkina Faso, Mauritania and shock casualties Algeria when they were expected to finish third at best given an Afcon record of just four victories in 26 matches.

The best Namibia had managed in three previous appearances was two draws while losing seven other matches. One of the draws was against Angola in Burkina Faso 26 years ago.

Angola, showing two changes from the team that started a win over Burkina Faso last Tuesday, were reduced to 10 men after just 17 minutes.

Searing heat  

Neblu - one of many Angolans who use a nickname rather than their real name - handled a Bethuel Muzeu lob outside his area and was immediately red-carded.

Reserve goalkeeper Antonio Dominique came off the bench at the expense of midfielder Estrela and was quickly brought into action as he parried to safety a Deon Hotto free-kick.

After a water break to assist players performing in searing 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) heat, the match took a dramatic turn with two goals and another red card in four minutes.

A Gilberto cross and Fredy cutback set up Dala to sidefoot the ball into the corner of the net on 38 minutes.

Namibia surrendered their numerical advantage two minutes later when Haukongo was yellow-carded a second time and sent off by the Mauritanian referee.

Dala struck again on 42 minutes, powerfully heading a Fredy free-kick into the corner of the net to give Angola a two-goal advantage they retained until half-time.

After early second-half pressure from Namibia as they sought the goal that bring them back into contention for a last-eight place, Angola stretched their lead to three goals on 66 minutes.

Having fired narrowly wide, veteran Mabululu almost instantly atoned by sprinting on to a Dala pass before superbly curling a shot past goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.

The unquenchable spirit of the Namibians in the face of a looming loss was demonstrated in the closing minutes when a Riaan Hanamub shot forced a spectacular save from Dominique.

In added time, Angola were denied a fourth goal when a shot from substitute Zito Luvumbo rebounded off the crossbar.

- AFP

Afcon hosts Ivory Coast fail in bid to appoint Renard as coach

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast have failed in a remarkable bid to appoint Herve Renard as coach for the remainder of the tournament after the French Football Federation (FFF) refused to release him.

The FFF confirmed to AFP that they were not willing to loan the 55-year-old, who is currently the coach of the France women's team.

Talks had taken place between the Ivorian Football Federation and their French counterparts in an attempt to bring in Renard midway through the Cup of Nations.

Renard enjoys great popularity in Ivory Coast after leading the team to the 2015 African title.

He also won the competition with Zambia in 2012 and has managed Morocco and Angola.

Yet he is under contract as coach of the French women's team through to the end of this year's Paris Olympics, and Les Bleus also have a UEFA Nations League semi-final to play against Germany in Lyon on 23 February.

The Ivorians had hoped to have Renard on the bench for their last-16 tie against reigning champions Senegal on Monday, while the Afcon final takes place on 11 February.

The Elephants squeezed into the last 16 as a best third-placed team after a group stage in which they defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 before losing 1-0 to Nigeria and 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea.

Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked as coach on Wednesday due to the team's unconvincing form, with former player Emerse Fae named as interim boss.

- AFP

Tunisia coach steps down after dismal Afcon

Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri announced he was stepping down after his side's disappointing group exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

He joins the coaches of hosts Ivory Coast, Ghana and Algeria to leave their posts on Wednesday.

Kadri announced his decision in the aftermath of the Carthage Eagles' goalless draw with South Africa, which confirmed the end of their Afcon participation.

"My decision is definite. My contract fixed as an objective the semi-finals and because we haven't made that the contract is over," he said in a post-match interview on television.

Tunisia leave the Ivory Coast without a single win to their name to leave them last in Group E - a far cry from 13 months ago when they toppled France 1-0 at the World Cup in Qatar.

Tunisia's 100th goal in the competition, scored by Hamza Rafia in the 1-1 draw with Mali, was their only goal of this Afcon.

- AFP