Pico Lope’s Cape Verde progress to AFCON quarter-final as penalty shoot-out success by hosts Ivory Coast sees Senegal eliminated

Ivory Coast are hosting the AFCON for the first time since 1984

Ivory Coast are hosting the AFCON for the first time since 1984 Credit: PIxabay

On Monday two more teams booked their places in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Cape Verde did so for the very first time and at their fourth time of asking. Meanwhile hosts Ivory Coast knocked out champions Senegal in a dramatic shoot out.

A late Ryan Mendes spot kick gave Cape Verde a 1-0 win over Mauritania in their last 16 tie as Pico Lopes returned to the Blue Sharks side to secure a clean sheet after he was one of five players rested for their final group game last week.

Cape Verde were the better side in the match – having 18 shots to 11 - but the decisive moment only came three minutes from time when Mauritania keeper Babacar Niasse brought down Gilson Tavares in the box as he latched onto a poor back header.

Blue sharks skipper Ryan Mendes smashed home the spot-kick for the win – their third win of the tournament having beaten Ghana and Mozambique (along with a draw with Egypt).

Speaking to cafonline after the match, Blue Sharks boss Bubista said: "We are carving our path; we know there are many bigger teams than us, but we are trying to focus on our game to have the opportunity to face these African powerhouses."

Next up they will play either World Cup semi-finalists Morocco or South Africa. Win that match and their countries prize money will jump US$0.8m to US$1.3m.

Ahead of the last 16 game, Lopes, speaking to this reporter, noted his side's ambitions for the tournament having topped their group:

“It has been a great journey so far but if it was to end with just getting out of the group, it isn't an improvement on the last AFCON and that is what this group is looking for.

“It is important to us; can we go further? Can we push the boundaries?” said Lopes when speaking to Shamrock Rovers TV.

Reigning champions Senegal lost their crown in the later game on Monday as hosts Ivory Coast knocked them out 5-4 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Saido Mané had set up Habib Diallo to score a fourth minute goal for Senegal, only for the Lions of Teranga to concede a spot kick four minutes from time that Frank Kessie dispatched. He also took the Elephants fifth spot kick.

His teammates had all scored their penalties and with Moussa Niakhaté missing one for Senegal, when Kessie scored it sent his team into the quarter-final.  

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile