Ivory Coast 2-2 Sierra Leone: Alhaji Kamara scores late equaliser in dramatic AFCON finish

AFP via Getty Images
Giuseppe Muro16 January 2022

Sierra Leone scored a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time to snatch a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Elephants looked to be cruising into the last 16 but a howler from their goalkeeper Badra Sangare in the 93rd minute allowed Alhadji Kamara to tap in from three yards.

Sangare fumbled a back-header and Steven Caulker stole in to cross for Alhaji Kamara, who slipped but just about managed to scuff the ball into the net.

Sangare appeared to get caught in the pitch and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher, so former Tottenham right-back Serge Aurier ended the match in goal.

The injury is a major concern for Ivory Coast, who are already without first-choice goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo after was suspended by FIFA on the eve of the tournament over an alleged doping violation.

Ivory Coast have four points from their opening two games but face defending champions Algeria in their final group game.

Sierra Leone held defending champions Algeria to a 0-0 draw in their opening game and have every hope of going through to the knockout stage.

It had looked like Nicolas Pepe had scored the winner for Ivory Coast with a bit of quality on 65 minutes.

Pepe and Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha were recalled to the Ivory Coast team and Zaha had earlier earned his side an early penalty when he was brought down in the box.

Tottenham target Franck Kessie saw his weak effort saved by Mohamed Nbalie Kamara but Zaha then linked up with Sebastien Haller when the former West Ham forward fired Ivory Coast ahead after 25 minutes.

Ivory Coast dominated the first half but Sierra Leone equalised 10 minutes into the second half through a brilliant goal from Musa Kamara.

Kamara took a good first touch before gliding past an Ivory Coast defender and firing an unstoppable left-footed shot into the net.

Pepe put Ivory Coast back in front before an incredible finish saw Sierra Leone rescue a point at the death when Kamara scored his first international goal in seven years.

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