AFCON 2023/Quarter-finals: Mali vs Côte d’Ivoire, the match will be about politics as well as sport
As the dust settles, only eight teams remain in contention for the quarter-finals scheduled on February 2nd and 3rd, 2024. Among the matchups, Nigeria faces Angola in a duel pitting a continental heavyweight against a team not widely expected to reach this stage of the AFCON.
The other encounter features DR Congo against Guinea—two squads that have showcased remarkable performances throughout the competition.
Congo’s Leopards, known for their resilience, refuse to be dominated, while Guinea’s Sily National shows no intimidation, setting the stage for a fierce battle.
The third quarter-final pits Cape Verde against South Africa. Cape Verde boasts an unblemished record with no defeats in four matches.
On the other hand, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, initially struggling to find form, rebounded impressively against Namibia and pulled off a stunning upset against Morocco (2-0) in the Round of 16.
The final clash, Mali versus Ivory Coast, is a match with high stakes transcending the sporting arena.
Beyond the football pitch, the encounter takes on a different dimension. Tensions have escalated between the two countries, particularly since Alassane Ouattara’s government expressed hostility towards the Malian transition led by Colonel Assimi Goïta.
The arrest of Ivorian mercenaries disguised as military personnel in Bamako, aiming to destabilize the country, further adds to the tension. The match promises to be a tense affair, both on and off the field.
Cedric KABORE
