Kossounou and the Elephants took on the defending champions Senegal in the last 16. It finished 1-1 after 90 and then 120 minutes, meaning the tie went to a shootout. The Ivorians converted all five of their spot-kicks to win 5-4 and progress. Kossounou started the game for his first appearance at this year’s tournament, being substituted off in the 116th minute. The hosts will now face Mali in the final eight.
It was Mali who knocked out Tapsoba and Burkina Faso by winning 2-1 in the round of 16. The Werkself defender again started the match in Korhogo but unfortunately put into his own net in the third minute of the defeat. The dream of being crowned Africa’s best is also over for Adli after his Morocco side were beaten 2-0 by South Africa in San Pedro. The Bayer 04 forward made his first start of the tournament and was replaced on the hour mark.
Odilon Kossounou (Ivory Coast):
Mali vs. Ivory Coast, 3 February (18:00 CET)
A special afternoon at the Bayer 04 Football Academy autumn camp: At the Liga 20 indoor football centre, in the shadow of the BayArena, two Werkself women’s team players led a training session. Loreen Bender and Selina Ostermeier not only offered the young players advice and support, but also got stuck in themselves.
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Once the final whistle was blown, it was time to take a deep breath. 2-0 down and a 5–2 win in the end. It was a nerve-wracking affair against FC Nürnberg in the second round of the 2026–27 DFB Pokal. Jonas Hofmann said – “We didn’t let our heads drop” – hitting the nail on the head. Indeed, it was clear the Werkself were not prepared to accept elimination from the DFB Pokal. So they went on to score. The Black and Reds made their presence felt with a goal just before half-time, followed by four more in the second half. Or, to put it another way: Edmond Tapsoba’s first Bayer 04 brace, a clinical penalty from Patrik Schick, yet another precision strike from Hofmann and a blistering volley from Lucas Vázquez. Each goal more beautiful than the last! After the match, head coach Carles Martínez praised his team’s commitment above all else and the fact that they never lost belief in themselves. The Werkself review.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 5-2 win against 1. FC Nürnberg in the second round of the DFB-Pokal 2026/27...
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Bayer 04 came from 2-0 down to beat Nürnberg 5-2 in the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal on Wednesday night. Edmond Tapsoba’s double either side of half-time sparked the turnaround, before Patrik Schick, Jonas Hofmann and Lucas Vázquez ensured progress to the last 16 for the 2024 cup winners.
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