Once again, the Ivory Coast national football team, fondly known as “The Elephants,” needed a miracle in the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 to keep their dream alive, especially for three players from the Saudi Pro League’s Roshn clubs in their quest for the continental title, which has eluded them since 2015.
The Ivory Coast team, featuring stars like Frank Kessie from Al Ahly, Seko Fofana from Al Nassr (on loan to Al Ittihad), and Gislain Konan from Al-Fayhaa, narrowly escaped a humiliating exit during the group stage of the African tournament.
They rebounded with strong performances in the knockout stages, the latest being a hard-fought “2-1” victory against Mali, despite playing most of the match with ten players.
Despite their modest results in the group stage, ending with a heavy defeat against Equatorial Guinea “0-4,” the Elephants found themselves in the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
The Ivorian team appeared on the brink of elimination in the Round of 16, trailing against Senegal until the final minutes.
However, a penalty goal from Frank Kessie, the Al Ahly player, forced extra time, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout win on their home turf.
Their quarter-final struggle against Mali mirrored their Round of 16 ordeal.
Kessie and his teammates waited until the last minute of regular time to equalize with ten players after Mali took an early lead.
A thrilling “2-1” victory set them up for a showdown against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
