AFCON 2022
Late blunder and Kessie miss cost Elephants
Sebastien Haller and Nicolas Pepe scored, but Ivory Coast had to settle for a point against Sierra Leone after a costly late mistake.
A stoppage-time clanger from goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare meant Ivory Coast could only draw 2-2 with Sierra Leone at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sangare attempted to prevent a late corner but shockingly let the ball squirm from his grasp and Steven Caulker was able to capitalise, crossing for Alhaji Kamara to scramble home.
It was the second costly major error from Ivory Coast who squandered a 12th-minute penalty when Franck Kessie saw his kick pushed away by Mohamed Kamara, after Wilfried Zaha was sent sprawling by Umaru Bangura.
Kamara was the hero of Sierra Leone's opening goalless draw against Algeria, but he was beaten here in the 25th minute when Zaha's excellent pass found Sebastien Haller, and the Ajax man took a touch before rifling into the bottom-right corner.
Sierra Leone surprisingly drew level in the 55th minute when Musa Kamara produced some outstanding footwork to drive into the penalty area and send a left-footed strike into the top-left corner.
Ivory Coast restored their lead with a delightful team goal in the 65th minute, the ball being worked swiftly from left to right before Nicolas Pepe drove a low 20-yard shot beyond the Sierra Leone goalkeeper. Yet there was a sucker-punch to come in the third minute of stoppage time, Sangare left embarrassed and injured in the process of conceding the dramatic equaliser.
- 23 Badra Ali Sangaré
- 21 Eric Bailly (92')
- 14 Simon Deli
- 3 Konan
- 17 Aurier
- 8 Kessié Franck (81')
- 4 Jean Seri
- 18 Ibrahima Sangare (72')
- 9 Wilfred Zaha (81')
- 22 Sébastian Haller (71')
- 19 Nicolas Pepe
- Substitutes
- 7 Kouakou Odilon Kossounou (92')
- 20 Die (81')
- 24 Cristian Kouame (71')
- 11 Cornet
- 10 Jean Kouassi (81')
- 5 Kanon
- 15 Max Gradel
- 1 Eliezer Ira Tapé
- 25 Hamed Junior Traore (72')
- 12 Digbo Maiga
- 26 Abdoul Karim Cisse
- 2 Karim Konaté
- 1 Mohamed Nbalie Kamara
- 17 Bangura
- 2 Osman Kakay
- 5 Caulker
- 3 Kevin Wright
- 6 John Kamara
- 14 Mohamed Buya Turay (72')
- 19 Mustapha Bundu (74')
- 7 Kwame Quee
- 28 Musa Kamara
- 10 Kei Kamara (82')
- Substitutes
- 12 Alhaji Kamara (74')
- 15 Yeami Dunia
- 8 Saidu Fofanah
- 27 Abu Diaby Dumbuya
- 4 Medo
- 16 Ibrahim Sesay
- 22 Issa Kallon (72')
- 11 Sullay Kaikai (82')
- 13 Augustus Kargbo
- 9 Augustine Williams
- 23 Isaac Caulker
- 20 Saidu Mansaray
Substitutions
Christian Kouamé (71', Sébastien Haller), Issa Kallon (72', Mohamed Buya Turay), Hamed Traorè (72', Ibrahim Sangaré), Alhaji Kamara (74', Mustapha Bundu), Serey Dié (81', Franck Kessié), Jean Kouassi (81', Wilfried Zaha), Sulaiman Kaikai (82', Kei Kamara), Odilon Kossounou (92', Eric Bailly)
Goals
1-0, 24': Sébastian Haller, 1-1, 54': Musa Kamara, 2-1, 64': Nicolas Pepe, 2-2, 92': Alhaji Kamara
Cards
Referee: Maguette Ndiaye
VAR Referee: Bakary Gassama, El Hadji Samba
Osman Kakay (51',Yellow) Alhaji Kamara (94',Yellow)
