| Ivory Coast's French coach Jean-Louis Gasset (C) getsures to Ivory Coast's forward #10 Karim Konate during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group A football match between Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan on January 22, 2024. |
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Host nation Ivory Coast have squeezed into the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on the day they fired their coach.
Morocco's 1-0 win over Zambia in Group F on Wednesday (local time) ensured Ivory Coast finished among the four best third-placed teams, thus qualifying for the knockout stage.
Zambia's defeat left the Copper Bullets with two points after three games, one fewer than Ivory Coast, who failed to secure their own progress when they were beaten 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea in their final group game on Monday.
Morocco's win set off celebrations in Abidjan, the largest city in the Ivory Coast, where there were fireworks, supporters cheering and fans driving around honking their car horns.
Morocco captain Hakim Ziyech became their hero when he scored the only goal across four games on Wednesday, firing in the rebound after Lawrence Mulenga saved Ayoub El Kaabi's effort in the 37th minute.
The goal was immediately celebrated by the Ivorian fans in attendance in San Pedro, and those who heard about it at the other match between Tanzania and Congo in Korhogo. That game ended 0-0.
Ziyech and his teammates ran to celebrate on the sideline, where he made a heart sign for coach Walid Regragui, watching from the stands as he was serving a suspension imposed by the Confederation of African Football earlier on Wednesday.
But Ivory Coast fans had to endure a nervy finale. Lameck Banda went just wide as Zambia started their best period of pressure around the hour-mark.
Lubambo Musonda fired over for the Copper Bullets, who pushed hard for an equaliser that would have meant the hosts' elimination.
Morocco then missed late chances to seal it, with Mulenga pulling off two saves in stoppage time to keep the suspense to the end.
Ivory Coast fired their coach Jean-Louis Gasset earlier on Wednesday.
Morocco finished top of Group F with seven points, four more than Congo, who also reached the last 16.
Zambia and Tanzania, with two points each, were eliminated.
Mali, South Africa and Namibia all advanced to the last 16 on Wednesday when they took part in the tournament's first goalless games.
Mali's 0-0 draw with Namibia was enough to top Group E, while South Africa clinched second place on goal difference from Namibia by drawing 0-0 with Tunisia.
Mali finished with five points, one more than South Africa and Namibia, while Tunisia were eliminated after finishing bottom of the group.
Namibia progressed as one of the four best third-placed finishers.
