Gana's Senegal Suffer AFCON Heartbreak

Idrissa Gana Gueye's Senegal are out of the Africa Cup of Nations after losing 5-4 on penalties to Ivory Coast on Monday night.

Gana's nation led for most of the round of 16 tie after securing the lead on four minutes. However, a spot-kick a minute prior to the Blues midfielder's introduction restored parity for the tournament hosts.

The fiercely fought contest dragged all the way to penalties where the Elephants capitalised on a Senegal miss to secure their place in the quarter-finals. 

The knockout tie was largely dominated by the hosts, but it was Senegal who drew first blood. 

The ball was thrown in for Sadio Mane down the left as his cross found Habib Diallo. The Al-Shabab forward chested the ball down before firing the ball high into the top corner put the Lions of Teranga in control of the tie. 

Diallo's early effort almost appeared to be enough for the reigning champions. Gana was readied on the touchline and prepared to help his nation see off the result. However, his introduction was delayed after a VAR call awarded Ivory Coast a penalty following Edouard Mendy's foul on Nicolas Pépé, and a chance to draw level for the hosts.

An opportunity they would take as Franck Kessie would convert from the spot on 86 minutes.

Gana was introduced a minute later as the tense encounter would drag into extra time. 

While Senegal arguably had better opportunities, neither side could find a winner and penalties would be required to determine the victor. 

Senegal's Moussa Niakhaté effort off the post would prove costly, as Ivory Coast converted all five of their strikes to knock out the defending champions.