Humiliated by Equatorial Guinea 4-0 in their final Group A match, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts, Ivory Coast, were staring at an embarrassing early eviction from their party.History as is claimed to repeat itself was about to do just that like 40 years ago in 1984 when the West African country first hosted the tournament and bowed out at the initial stage.##NAJAVA_MECA_7837830##The anger across the nation was seething with enraged fans reportedly engaging in acts of hooliganism to vent their frustrations. Claims of damaged cars and smashed windows of buildings were registered as tempers flared.Yet, like a cat, The Elephants had nine lives. A win for Morocco over Zambia saw them sail through to the round of 16 as the fourth and last-best loser of the group campaign.Faced with a herculean task in the knockout round in the form of the defending champions Senegal, who had a near seamless ride – winning all their three group games, The Elephants needed more than a miracle to proceed.AFCON2023: “No Stopping Here” – Cote d’Ivoire interim boss Fae eyes further glory after Senegal upsetHowever, one man, a legend of the game and the team, believed. At a time when many despaired and doubted the 2015 champions, Didier Drogba, their former skipper, saw an opening and rallied the whole country behind The Elephants.”We still have a chance to revive ourselves,” the former Chelsea star said ahead of the class against Senegal on Monday. “If the wind blows, seize it,” he added.Banking on the past record, he boosted the team’s morale, “Senegal has never won against Ivory Coast. I repeat, Senegal has never won against Ivory Coast. Give everything you have on the field. We support you.”Didier Drogba on Senegal 🇸🇳 vs Ivory Coast🇮🇪: “We still have a chance to revive ourselves. If the wind blows, seize it. Senegal has never won against Ivory Coast.” I repeat, Senegal has never won against Ivory Coast. Give everything you have on the field. We support you.” pic.twitter.com/DQsHAVXOZa— SPORTSworldGhana.com (@sportworldghana) January 28, 2024 True to his word, The Elephants affirmed their supremacy against The Teranga Lions – rallying from a goal down to eliminate the defending champions on penalties.Tuesday Fixtures20:00: (2.30) Mali (3.10) Burkina Faso (3.40)23:00: (1.62) Morocco (3.50) S.Africa (6.50)***odds are subject to change***
