Ivory Coast’s defender, Odilon Kossounou, has issued an apology for receiving a red card during the Mali game. Consequently, he will be absent for the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match against DR Congo on Wednesday.
The Bayer Leverkusen player was sent off for twice obstructing Eagles winger Lassine Sinayoko during the first half of their quarterfinal match.
The AFCON hosts overcame a goal down to defeat Mali in a thrilling match at the Stade de Bouake, despite playing the majority of the match with one man down.
The Elephants defeated Mali 2-1 on Saturday night thanks to a late backheel goal by Oumar Diakite in extra time.
Odilon Kossounou’s red card at the conclusion of the first half reduced Ivory Coast to 10 men. Nene Dorgeles’ goal put the Ivorians behind in the second half, but Simon Adingra’s goal in the ninetieth minute pulled them level.
Kossounou apologized on social media to Ivorian national team supporters while praising his colleagues’ courageous efforts.
“I would like to apologise to the Ivorian people as well as my teammates for this error during the match. This was not voluntary, and I am sorry to have left my team. I am proud of this group, the warriors who fought until the last minute,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“We will all be united behind the Ivorian national team for the next match! Ivorian people, thank you for your unconditional support,” he added.
Koussounou might make a comeback to the Ivory Coast team lineup for the final match of the campaign, which could take place in the third-place play-off.