Ivory Coast goalkeeper error gifts Sierra Leone an equaliser in the Africa Cup Of Nations
FOOTBALL | By Reuters | January 17th 2022
A goalkeeping howler handed Sierra Leone a dramatic last-gasp equaliser that secured a 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast in their Africa Cup of Nations Group E clash on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare lost control of the ball and spilt it for Sierra Leone's Alhaji Kamara to snatch a 95th-minute goal as they grabbed their second point of the tournament after holding defending champions Algeria 0-0 last week.
Ivory Coast now have four points while Sierra Leone are on two with Algeria to take on Equatorial Guinea in Sunday’s second Group E match at the Japoma Stadium.
Sebastien Haller scored first to put Ivory Coast ahead at halftime but 21-year-old Musa Kamara equalised for Sierra Leone before Nicolas Pepe restored the Ivorians’ lead.
They looked to be heading for a deserved win when Sangare somehow managed to lose control of the ball, allowing Steven Caulker to feed Alhaji Kamara.
READ MORE
Ivory Coast PM resigns, President to reduce size of Cabinet
AFCON: Egypt advance on penalties against Ivory Coast
England to host Ivory Coast in March friendly
Sierra Leone out after penalty miss in defeat to Equatorial Guinea
Yet the substitute striker was stumbling as he tried to get to the pass before making contact and steering it home to set off frenzied celebrations.
It was a superb result for the Leone Stars, returning to the finals for the first time in 26 years.
“Best of all is the spirit we have shown. Just to be here is a win for us,” said coach John Keister.
The Ivorians squandered an early penalty opportunity as Wilfried Zaha was brought down in the 12th minute by a clumsy challenge from Sierra Leone captain Umaru Bangura, offering Frank Kessie the opportunity to put them ahead from the spot.
Yet his kick was saved by Mohamed Kamara, who had a man of the match performance in Sierra Leone’s previous game against Algeria.
Haller's opener arrived in the 25th minute and was set up by a defence-splitting pass from Zaha before being expertly converted, earning the Ivorians a halftime lead.
Sierra Leone made full use of rare second-half opportunity to snatch an equaliser with a powerful 55th minute shot from Musa Kamara.
The Ivorians re-established their superiority when Ibrahim Sangare fed Pepe, whose strike from the right gave the goalkeeper no chance.
Ivorian woes at the end were exacerbated by Eric Bailly going off with what appeared to be a cut to the head while Sangare was taken off on a stretcher after his howler, leaving the Ivorians with a possible goalkeeping crisis for their last group match on Thursday against Algeria.
RELATED VIDEOS
Harambee Stars on brink of ending 14 - year wait for glory
Gwiji wa Nyimbo za Lingala Papa Wemba afariki Mjini Abidjan
Congolese music legend Papa Wemba dies after collapsing in a festival in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Real Madrid beat Athletic 2-0 to claim Super Cup title
Real Madrid were crowned Spanish Super Cup champions after goals from Luka Modric and Karim Benzema earned them a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in SauEquatorial Guinea upset holders Algeria in Cup of Nations shock
Esteban Obiang scored 20 minutes from time as Equatorial Guinea pulled off one of the great Africa Cup of Nations finals upsets with a 1-0 win over deMOST READ
- Two missing men found dead inside vehicle in Lucky Summer
By Mate Tongola
- Court says State acquired prime Eldoret land from owner legally
- US offers Sh233m bounty for two suspects wanted for drug, wildlife crimes
By Betty Njeru
- Disquiet in Kenya Kwanza over Rigathi Gachagua's 'careless' outbursts
- Wilson Airport airspace to be closed Saturday