Senegal and Ivory Coast played a match that ended with a 1-1 draw, but the holders, Ivory Coast, were eliminated in the penalty shootout, allowing the hosts to advance to the quarter-finals.

Franck Kessie emerged as the hero for the Ivory Coast in their Africa Cup of Nations clash against reigning champions Senegal. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leading to a thrilling penalty shoot-out that saw the hosts triumph 5-4.

Kessie, who was initially left on the bench by interim coach Emerse Fae, showcased his composure from the penalty spot. After Moussa Niakhate missed for Senegal, Kessie calmly side-footed the winning spot-kick into the net at Stade Charles Konan Banny.

The midfielder had already made his mark earlier in the game, as he converted a penalty in the 86th minute to force extra time. This cancelled out Habib Diallo’s early opener for Senegal. Sadio Mane had a golden opportunity to extend Senegal’s lead, but failed to capitalize just before Kessie’s equalizer.

Referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho played a crucial role in the match, as he overturned his initial decision not to penalize Edouard Mendy for a foul on Nicolas Pepe. This decision ultimately led to the Ivory Coast’s equalizing penalty.

Although Mane successfully converted Senegal’s final penalty in the shoot-out, it was Kessie who held his nerve and secured a remarkable redemption for the Ivory Coast. The team had only managed to progress to the knockout stage thanks to other results going their way in the group stage.

This victory sets the stage for an exciting journey for the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations. Fans can expect more thrilling moments from this talented team.