Cote D’ivoire football icon, Didier Drogba has commended Ivory Coast for beating Senegal 5-4 on penalty shoot-out at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, on Monday night.
Drigba gave this commendation on his official X handle after the match.
The Chelsea legend could not hide his excitement after his country triumphed in a disastrous group stage display to eliminate Senegal, who are the African champions.
However, despite falling on an early goal from Habib Diallo, Franck Kessie, a second-half substitute, scored late from the spot to force the round of 16 game into extra time.
After 120 minutes of action, the former Barcelona attacking midfielder netted the winner with Moussa Niakhite missing the third spot-kick for Senegal.
While reacting, Drogba wrote, “It is spoiled”, after Senegal’s penalty miss.
“This is what it’s all about!!!!!!! Well done elephants!!! You fought like lions,” he added after the game.
Ivory Coast will now face the winner of the game between Mali and Burkina Faso for a place in the semi-final.
In 2007, Didier Drogba ended a 5 year civil war in Cote d’Ivoire by scoring a goal that helped Ivory Coast beat Madagascar.
He requested that the game be played in Bouake, a rebel stronghold, then got on his knees and pleaded with rebels to drop their arms and they did.
