U-17 AFCON: Ivory Coast stay calm under pressure to advance via penalty kicks

Photo Credit: ivorian Football Federation

After over one hundred minutes of scoreless football, a perfect set of penalty kicks sent Ivory Coast through to the semifinals of the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations following a 0-0 draw against Senegal on Friday.

The two West African rivals neutralized each other throughout the match. The first half in particular was a drab affair with the Ivorian team failing to register a single shot attempt while Senegla did not come much closer to scoring. Mouhamed Wagner's scuffed effort wide of the Ivorian goal close to halftime was the lone opportunity for either team.

The second half featured a bit more action. Ivorian star forward Alynho Haidara did well to set up right back Vaboue Doumbia for a hard low shot that went just wide of the Senegalese goal in the 75th minute. Ivorian defender Obli Kouame was sent off for a kick to the face in the 88th minute and Senegal created a couple of chances but the match remained scorless, requiring penalty kicks after regular time.

Like regular time, the penalty shootout was close. But the difference arrived in the second set of spot kicks when Senegal's Ousseynou Ndiaye put his penalty off the post. Les Eléphanteaux converted all five of their spot kicks with calmness to advance to the semifinals where Ivory Coast will face hosts Morocco on April 15. Burkina Faso awaits the final semifinalist on the same day when Tunisia and Mali duel later today.