Ivory Coast will face Congo DR in the second semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday. The Elephants are playing in their first Ebimpe match since they were humiliated 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea. They will face a DRC team that is eager to play in the competition final for the first time since 1974. They have the opportunity to please the fans in Abidjan.
Preview (Ivory Coast vs. Congo DR)
The host nation has been the embodiment of the dramatic Cup of Nations more than any other squad. They have persevered through injuries and a depressing group stage. The Elephants were in danger of going out after losing badly to the Equatoguineans. Following that ruling, the home team defeated Senegal, the reigning champions, then pulled off an incredible comeback with ten men to score in the last minute of normal and extra time to defeat Mali in a thrilling match that sent spectators into the roof of Bouake.
Although it is doubtful if Ivory Coast has anything left in the tank after playing an additional 30 minutes against the Lions of Teranga and in their quarterfinal victory on Saturday, the hosts are hoping to get motivation from the crowd to advance to their first final since dominating the continent in 2015. Despite Fae’s desire to avoid trailing for the fourth straight game—the Elephants have conceded first against Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, and Mali—this team has little to fear from the DRC due to their ability to rally from poor beginnings. For their part, Sebastian Desabre’s team’s timely victory over Guinea in regulation time. It spared them from having to play an extra half-hour.
After scoring goals against Syli National through Chancel Mbemba, Yoane Wissa, and Arthur Masuaku, the Leopards advanced to the competition’s semifinals for the first time since 2015 and just the second time since the year 2000. Although they placed third in both tournaments to ease the sorrow of missing the championship match. DRC has hardly participated in this match since winning the title in 1974. They have also lost in both of the semi-finals in 1998 and 2015.
Team News
Odilon Kossounou was sent off for two yellow card offenses in a terrible 45 minutes against Mali. Oumar Diakite was sent off for a second booking shortly after scoring the game’s winning goal against Mali. It meaning Ivory Coast is without their suspended Serge Aurier due to an accumulation of cards. With bookings in the previous knockout stages for Mbemba, Masuaku, Dylan Batubinsika, and Theo Bongonda, the underdogs might have four players facing suspension in a potential championship match. The Leopards might use an identical lineup for the semifinal if Kakuta is unable to recover from his injury.
Ivory Coast 2-1 Congo DR
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