African Cup Of Nations Host Ivory Coast are well on their way to clinching the 2023 AFCON trophy after a superb night of football action against the Reigning Champions Senegal in 5-4 thriller.

Hosts Ivory Coast eliminated defending champions Senegal in a penalty shootout to book a spot in the 2023 quarter-finals following a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time.

Franck Kessie, who had scored from the spot four minutes from quitting time, converted the winning penalty to seal an extraordinary victory for the hosts.

The 27-year-old delivered once again with the crucial kick to seal a 5-4 win in the shoot-out after Moussa Niakhate had missed his earlier effort for the favourites.

Senegal had looked set to end the curse that had seen no defending champions reach the last eight since 2010 when Habib Diallo rifled home with just four minutes on the clock.

This performance has help the the elephants redeem themselves after a humiliating group-stage display which culminated in two defeats.

A host nation has not won Afcon since Egypt in 2006. We still have a long way to go but this performance has surely given the Elephants belief that they can go all the way.

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