Ivory Coast are through to the quarter final after defeating the Eagles of Mali 1-0 in the round of 16 in AFCON 2019. Second half strike from Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha gave the Elephants edge over Mali.
Ibrahima Kamara made some few changes to his starting lineup as Wilfred Zaha came in for Max Gradel with Michael Jean Seri and Sergi Aurier missing. Mohamed Magassouba retained the side that defeated Mauritania and got a draw against Tunisia.
The Elephants started the game brightly as they went straight on the attack but the resulting cross from the attack cut out by Mali's defence. The Eagles got their nerves back as they return the favour with constant pressure on Ivory Coast defence.
Southampton's new signing Moussa Djenepo, Moussa Marega, and Abdoulay Diaby caused a lot of problems for the Elephants defence.
Mali could have been two goals up in the first 45 minutes but they failed to make the chances they created count. Ivory Coast were made to defend all through the first half as they could only register just one shot on goal.
The pace of the match dwindled early in the second half compare to the first half with Ivory Coast gradually coming into the game. Both teams failed to create a clear cut chance in the first 15 minutes of play. Ivory Coast got the first best chance in the second half after Kodjia was put through from a long ball from the back but he hits his effort straight at Djigui Diarra.
The Elephants pressure finally paid off in the 76th minute after Zaha's strike hits the back of the net. The Elephants goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo lumps a long kick from his own, which Kodjia tries to flick on with his head through to Zaha, who takes a touch and guides it past Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra from close range.
Ivory coast will now face the Desert Foxes of Algeria in the quarter finals.
Lineup
Mali: Djigui Diarra, Hamari Traore, Youssouf Koné, Mamadou Fofana, Molla Wagué, Amadou Haidara, Lassana Coulibaly, Diadie Samassekou, Moussa Djenepo, Abdoulay Diaby, Moussa Marega.
Ivory Coast: Sylvain Gbohouo, Mamadou Bagayoko, Wonlo Coulibaly, Wilfried Kanon, Ismaël Traoré, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Serey Dié, Franck Kessié, Nicolas Pépé, Wilfried Zaha, Jonathan Kodjia.

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