Ivory Coast’s Sebastien Haller celebrates after scoring the opening purpose in the course of the African Cup of Nations semifinal match between Ivory Coast and DR Congo, on the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on February 7, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP
Sebastien Haller despatched hosts Ivory Coast into the Africa Cup of Nations final as they beat Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in Wednesday’s semi-final on the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium.
Haller’s Sixty fifth-minute purpose continued a outstanding restoration by the Ivorians who have been virtually eradicated within the group part however will now tackle Nigeria in Sunday’s final.
Nigeria beat South Africa on penalties in Wednesday’s different semi-final in Bouake.
Haller was making his first begin after an ankle harm and his purpose had a contact of fortune about it as he miscued his shot which bounced over Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi into the web.
Haller had missed a close-range header from Wilfried Singo’s pinpoint cross within the fortieth minute to recommend the Ivorian ahead was ring rusty.
He may have added a second three minutes after his purpose when a poor again move despatched him free and though his effort to volley over the goalkeeper was intelligent, it was additionally astray.
Franck Kessie struck the woodwork with a strong left- footed shot within the forty second minute that hit the underside of the submit, bouncing away from purpose with the Congolese keeper crushed.
It was all proof of the Ivorian dominance as they continued their revival after squeezing by the primary spherical because the final of the perfect third-placed group finishers.
A 4-0 loss to tiny Equatorial Guinea and the next sacking of veteran French coach Jean Louis Gasset is now all forgotten amid the celebrations of a capability residence crowd.
DR Congo’s greatest alternative got here on the finish of a mazy dribbling run from substitute Theo Bongonda early within the second half however he hit the facet netting together with his shot.
The Congolese have been trying to attain their first final in 50 years whereas the Ivorians are the primary hosts to make the final within the final 9 tournaments since Egypt in 2006.
DR Congo will play South Africa within the third place playoff in Abidjan on Saturday.
