AFCON 2023: Ivorian fan with female in viral video apologises to wife, children

An Ivorian football fan, Anselme Santos, asking for the phone number of a female fan during an AFCON match

An Ivorian football fan, Anselme Santos, has apologized to his wife and children for trying to get the phone number of a woman, while celebrating his country’s win against Senegal at the AFCON 2023 on Monday.

Hosts Côte d’Ivoire defeated reigning champions Senegal 5-4 on penalty shootout after 1-1 draw in regulation time.

While celebrating after Franck Kessie converted the winning penalty, Santos was seen whispering into the woman’s hear in a viral video.

He has now come out to explain what led him to request for the woman’s phone number.

“In the euphoria, I told her ‘give me your number’. she didn’t want to so I didn’t insist,” he was quoted on the X handle of Ghanian journalist Gary Al-Smith.

“I would like to take this chance to apologise to my wife and my children.”

Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast will hope to replicate their impressive performance against Senegal, when they face Mali in the Quarter-finals.

The two-time AFCON champions barely qualified for the round of 16 thanks to Morocco’s win against Zambia in their final group game.

After defeating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in the opening game, Côte d’Ivoire lost 1-0 to the Super Eagles and lost 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea.

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