An Ivorian football fan, Anselme Santos, has apologised 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 ear 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 squeezed into 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 Nigeria’s Super Eagles and lost 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea.
