Cotê d’Ivoire midfielder, Oumar Diakite, has credited home fans for their comeback win over Mali on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

Diakite, who scored the winning goal, admitted the game was a difficult one, but they had their home fans who supported them throughout the 120 minutes.

“The supporters did what they had to do, and since this tournament started, we have seen the support of Ivorians; they have been pushing.

“Today, we had a difficult time in the game, including the red card, but they continued to push us and for us as players, when things begin to go like that, we only have the option to give our very best and look out for the victory and it is the reason why we were the winners,” he said.

Cotê d’Ivoire had a player sent off in the first half before going down by a goal to nil.

They, however, managed to come back into the game and won it at the closing stages of extra time.

Diakite added that they knew the game was going to be difficult after the red card.

“We knew it was going to be complicated, it made it difficult for us, but we were able to do what we wanted with our mentality in place.

“We ran and we made efforts and I think we were paid at the end of the day, and we all went out to get this particular victory.

“We are happy because I scored the second goal. With this goal, I think I put happiness on the faces of about 30,000 Ivorian fans who were at the stadium.

“No words can describe how I’m feeling right now, but I’m happy,” he said.

Cotê d’Ivoire will now meet DR Congo in the semi-finals at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Wednesday.

(NAN)