Sports
‘No stopping here for Cote d’Ivoire’
Cote d’Ivoire caretaker coach Emerse Fae says his team ‘must not stop here’ after their monumental penalty shootout victory over Senegal in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations last 16.
The tournament hosts eliminated the reigning champions 5-4 on penalties on Monday following a 1-1 draw after extra time to book their spot in the quarter-finals.
In front of a raucous home crowd at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, Senegal made a blistering start and took the lead just four minutes in.
A superb cross from Sadio Mane found Habib Diallo, who calmly chested the ball down before firing a rocket into the top corner.
Cote d’Ivoire were unfazed and continued pressing and when the game turned on a pivotal 86th minute moment when the host nation was awarded a penalty as Pepe was clumsily brought down by Edouard Mendy.
After VAR reviewed the incident, Franck Kessie coolly sent Mendy the wrong way from the spot to equalise.
In the shootout, Kessie stepped up to smash home the winning kick and send the home crowd into ecstasy.
It capped a remarkable turnaround for the Elephants after a disastrous group stage saw them suffer two defeats, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.
“We had a difficult start, conceding an early goal, but I told the players at halftime to keep playing the same way, not get confused,” said Fae.
Unlike under previous coach Jean-Louis Gasset, Fae took full responsibility for tactical decisions during the match.
“It was my decision on what needed to be done. With Gasset, I would give an opinion and he would make the decision,” Fae explained.
The interim boss admitted he was under intense pressure before the Senegal showdown.
“There was a lot of pressure before the match, and match day was too long for me. I couldn’t nap as usual, thinking about all scenarios. If I said there was no pressure, I would be lying,” Fae confessed.
But scraping through the group stage boosted belief before facing the champions.
“Qualifying after Morocco’s win gave us confidence. We beat Senegal and eliminated them; morale is good,” said Fae.
With a place now booked in the quarter-finals, Fae stressed the team cannot get carried away by this result as tougher tests lie ahead.
“We must not stop here; we must continue working, maintain this morale, and keep playing match by match,” the coach asserted.
After inspiring a remarkable reversal in fortunes, Fae seems determined to ensure this giant-killing act is just the start as the Elephants seek further AFCON glory. — Cafonline.com
Sports
Hearts of Oak, Medeama SC crash out of MTN FA Cup in stunning upsets
The Round of 16 in the MTN FA Cup delivered stunning upsets, with Premier League giants Hearts of Oak and Medeama SC suffering elimination, while Berekum Chelsea produced a dominant display to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
Hearts of Oak were sent packing by Division One side Golden Kick after a dramatic penalty shootout. After a goalless regulation time, Golden Kick held their nerve in the shootout to win 4-3, despite missing their first kick. Hearts of Oak also had midfielder Theophilus Collison sent off in the second half, adding to their woes.
Meanwhile two-time winners Medeama SC got knocked out after losing 4-2 on penalties to Division One side PAC Academy after a 1-1 draw at the TNA Park.
The Premier League side failed to capitalize on home advantage as PAC Academy proved more clinical in the shootout, securing a famous victory.
While some Premier League sides struggled, Berekum Chelsea made a statement with a commanding 4-1 victory over Division One club Northern City.
The former Premier League champions showed their class, dispatching their lower-tier opponents with ease to book a quarterfinal spot.
Bechem United secured a hard-fought victory at Techiman Liberty, while True Democracy beat Nania on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Karela United also beat Young Apostles 1-0 to progress.
The MTN FA Cup continues to produce surprises, with multiple top-flight teams bowing out, leaving the competition wide open for the remaining contenders.
Sports
Black Queens continue Morocco tour with Raja Club Athletic friendly on Monday
The Black Queens are set to face off against Raja Club Athletic Women on Monday, February 24.
This match is part of their training tour in Morocco as they prepare for the upcoming Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Black Queens have already had a taste of competition in Morocco, narrowly losing to the Atlas Lionesses in a friendly match on Friday.
Coach Kim Lars Björkegren will likely use this game to further assess his team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Raja Club Athletic, the parent club of Raja Club Athletic Women, is a renowned football club in Morocco, founded in 1949.
They have a rich history, having won several domestic and international titles, including three CAF Champions League trophies.
