AFCON 2019 Quarter-finals: Ivory Coast out, Algeria through to semis

AFCON 2019 Quarter-finals: Ivory Coast out, Algeria through to semis

AFRICA

The African Cup of Nations, AFCON, the continent’s biggest football showpiece is underway in Egypt. It kicked off on June 21 after a spectacular opening ceremony.

Hosts, Egypt, went on to beat Zimbabwe by a lone goal in the first game of the tournament. After twelve match days and two days of rest. Knockout stage action takes center stage starting today.

Sky News Africa is keeping you up to date with the very latest across the eight games as teams play for a place in the quarter-finals.

Quarterfinal fixtures

Quarterfinal action starts for the eight teams that remain in the competition. West Africa has four, north and southern Africa with two each.

  • Senegal beat Benin 1 – 0 in Cairo via Idrissa Gueye strike (July 10)
  • Nigeria beat South Africa 2 – 1 in Cairo (July 10) Chukwueze, Ekeng goals, Bongani for South Africa
  • Algeria beat Ivory Coast 4 – 3 on penalties after 1 – 1 score in 120 minutes.
  • Madagascar vs. Tunisia in Cairo July 11: winner faces Senegal

Quarter-final Day 2: Algeria vs. Ivory Coast

Algeria are through to the semi-finals of the AFCON after beating Ivory Coast on penalties 4 – 3. The north Africans took a lead in the first half but the Ivorians hit back in the second half.

The contest came down to spot kicks after the two sides failed to find a winner in extra time.It is the first quarter-final to have gone into extra time. Senegal beat Benin 1 – 0, Nigeria beat South Africa 2 – 1. The final quarter-final is between Madagascar and Tunisia.

62’ – Kodjia restore parity for the Elephants
45’ – Algeria miss penalty. Bounedjah culpable
20’ – Feghouli strike gives Algeria the lead

Algeria’s lead against Ivory Coast has been cancelled. A 20th minute goal by Feghouli has been nullified by A 62nd minute Kodjia strike.

Winner of the fixture will face Nigeria in the semi-final stage of the competition. Nigeria defeated South Africa on July 10 to book their place in the semis.

Algeria who have won all their four matches and are yet to concede a goal at the tournament are favourites to go all the way to the final, but they have to overcome Ivory Coast in the July 11 quarter-final in Suez.

Algeria beat Senegal, Kenya and Tanzania in the group stages before demolishing Guinea in Sunday’s last-16 match (3-0).

“Algeria have shown that they are good at all levels. They are very powerful. They are the best team at the moment,” said Guinea’s losing coach Paul Put.

Ivory Coast, who lost to Morocco in the group stages have won matches against Namibia, South Africa to reach this stage.

Head to Head record

  • Ivory Coast 3-0 Algeria, group stage in 1968
  • Ivory Coast 1-1 Algeria, group stage in 1988
  • Algeria 3-0 Ivory Coast, group stage in 1990
  • Ivory Coast 3-0 Algeria, group stage in 1992
  • Ivory Coast 2-3 Algeria, quarter-final in 2010
  • Algeria 2-2 Ivory Coast, group stage in 2013
  • Ivory Coast 3-1 Algeria, quarter-final in 2015

Madagascar vs. Tunisia

Tournament debutants Madagascar, who have been impressive in the tournament take on Tunisia, who are also yet to win or lose a match, in the quarter-final on July 11 at the Al Salam Stadium.

Madagascar, who shocked fans with a 2-0 group stage victory over Nigeria, will be hoping to continue the fairytale story that saw them qualify for Africa’s biggest football tournament for the first time.

This will be the first time the two teams meet at Africa’s biggest football tournament.

Quarterfinal 2: Nigeria beats South Africa

27’ – Chukwuez strike
70’ – Bongani equalize with VAR validation
89’ – Ekong strikes, Nigeria holds on for qualification

Nigeria have shot in a first-half lead in their match against South Africa. The goal was scored by Chukwueze on the 27th minute mark.

The game is currently in the second half. The Bafana Bafana have since equalized via a Bongani Zungu goal that needed VAR validation. All is square now.

With about quarter of an hour to go, this could be the first quarter-final to go into extra time. Senegal earlier today beat Benin in regulation time thanks to an Idrissa Gueye strike.

South Africa starting 11: Ronwen Williams(G), Thamsanqa Mkhize, Sfiso Hlanti, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Thulani Hlatshwayo ©, Dean Furman, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Bongani Zungu, Thembinkosi Lorch, Percy Tau, Lebo Mothiba

Nigeria starting 11: Ezenwa, Uzoho, Mikel, Ogu, Onyekuru, Kalu, Simon, Balogun, Aina, Shehu, Onuachu, Osimhen

Quarterfinal 1: Senegal through, Benin out

The dream of winning a first AFCON continues for Senegal but it has ended for Benin who beat pre-tournament favourites Morocco to make the quarter-finals.

Senegal are looking to make the finals and go a step better than in 2002 when they were losing finalists.

A goal ruled out by VAR did not bother Aliou Cisse’s men who were holding on to a Idrissa Gueye lead in a game that they dominated for large portions.

70’ Idrissa Gueye scores for Senegal
73’ Mane doubles lead but goal ruled out by VAR
83’ Benin reduced to 10 men as Verdon gets marching orders

Senegal Line UP: Gomis, Koulibaly, Guèye, Kouyaté, Niang, Mané, Baldé, Sabaly, Saivet, Ndiaye, Gassama.

Benin Linn Up: Kassifa, Guero, Verdon, Adeoti, Mounié, Imorou, Adilehou, Soukou, D’almeida, Sessegnon.

Mane is leading the line for Senegal as expected, he is the top scorer at the tournament with three goals despite missing two penalties.

The Squirrels will be depending largely on the experience of Sessegnon to unlock the Senegalese. Goalie Kassifa has also come in for a lot of praise for his heroics.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here