Ivorian Fan Apologises to Wife After he Was Spotted Chatting to Young Woman During Senegal Game

• Ivory Coast recorded an upset win over Senegal in their AFCON last 16 clash
• However, an incident in the stands has started to capture as much attention
• An Elephants fan has found himself in hot water after a moment of 'euphoria'

An Ivorian football fan has reportedly issued an apology to his wife and children after being caught in a candid moment, chatting with a young woman during the recent Senegal game.

The Elephants supporter, said to be Anselme Santos, was spotted in the stands for his country's famous AFCON win against the defending champions.

However, he has become an internet meme after appearing to eschew the stadium's rampant celebrations in favour of talking to a young woman standing next to him.

The host nation faced a perilous situation in the competition, flirting with the possibility of elimination in the group stage. In a decisive move, they opted to dismiss their manager, Jean-Louis Gasset, even before the knockout stage teams had been finalised.

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But advancing as the tournament's top-performing team among the losing sides, they moved on to face the defending champions, Senegal, in the Round of 16, per the BBC.

Guided by interim coach, Emerse Fae, Ivory Coast found themselves trailing Senegal from the fourth minute following Habib Diallo's opening goal. However, they fought their way back into the match, levelling the score four minutes before regular time thanks to Franck Kessie's successful penalty.

Following an indecisive encounter during extra time, Senegal stumbled in the final moments when their third penalty-taker, Moussa Niakhate, hit the post.

Fan spotted chatting to a woman at AFCON 2023

While celebrations unfolded within Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro to mark the confirmation of a quarter-final spot, the determined effort of one man to engage in conversation with his seat-mate was captured on camera, swiftly transforming into instant meme material.

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According to a post on X by Actu Foot, Santos acknowledged the lapse in judgment in trying to woo the young woman, expressing remorse for any distress caused to his wife and children.

"In the euphoria, I told her, 'give your number'. It wasn't mean, but she didn't want to. So I didn't insist. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the lady, my wife and my children," he was translated as saying.

Senegal falls to AFCON's 'defending champion curse'

Sports Brief also previously highlighted Senegal's inability to break the AFCON curse by becoming yet another defending champion to fall short of the quarter-finals.

Since Egypt in 2010, no African champion has managed to advance past the Round of 16 in their subsequent tournament - a trend the Teranga Lions aimed to alter.