Côte d’Ivoire’s midfielder, Oumar Diakite, has attributed the team’s comeback win over Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)Côte d’Ivoire 2023 quarter-finals to the unwavering support of their home fans. Diakite, who netted the winning goal, praised the Ivorian supporters for their relentless encouragement throughout the challenging 120-minute match.
“The supporters did what they had to do and since this tournament started, we have seen the support of Ivorians, they have been pushing,” said Diakite. He acknowledged the difficulty of the game, especially after their team received a red card in the first half, but emphasized the crucial role of the fans in inspiring the players to give their best and secure the victory.
Despite facing early setbacks, including playing with a player down and trailing by a goal, Côte d’Ivoire fought back and clinched the victory during extra time. Diakite emphasized the team’s awareness of the game’s complexity after the red card, stating, “We knew it was going to be complicated, it made it difficult for us, but we were able to do what we wanted with our mentality in place. We ran and we made efforts and I think we were paid at the end of the day, and we all went out to get this particular victory.”
Reflecting on his winning goal, Diakite expressed his joy at bringing happiness to the 30,000 Ivorian fans at the stadium, conveying his immense happiness and gratitude for their unwavering support. Côte d’Ivoire is set to face DR Congo in the semi-finals at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Wednesday.
