AFCON 2023: Cote D’Ivoire vs Congo preview
Nothing but a story of resilience, Côte D’Ivoire has reached the semi-finals of AFCON 2023 despite wining one out of five matches inside regular time just like DR Congo whom they confront at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in semi-final–2 of the Cup of Nations.
The Elephants return to Ebimpe for the first time since a disappointing 4-0 humbling defeat to Equatorial Guinea in their final Group match leading to the sacking of Jean Louis Gassett and since then, Côte D’Ivoire has found a way of progressing to the knockout rounds.
Advancing as a best third-placed team from Group A, Emerse Fae’s team look forward to appease suporters in Abidjan against a DR Congo side edging for a third title. The hosts have produced more dramatic finishes in the tournament than any other team.
Simon Adingra pulled out an added time equalizer against Mali to extend their quarter final tie into extra time where Oumar Diakite’s last gasp sealed a dramatic progress to the semis.
Côte D’Ivoire has played extra 30minutes against Senegal and Mali which puts questions on how much they can hold on in the semi-finals considering some key absences due to bookings.
However fighting back from slow starts, Côte D’Ivoire have nothing to fear against the DRC, all Emerse Fae would be keen to avoid is trailing for the fourth game in succession — the Elephants conceded first against Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal and Mali.
The Leopards win over Guinea in the quarter final was their first win at AFCON 2023 after draws against Morocco, Tanzania Zambia and Egypt in the Round of 16.
DR Congo had a less dramatic quarter-final though coming from behind to seal a place in the last four. Chancel Bemba, Yoane Wissa and Arthur Masuaku hand their first semi final ticket sice 2015.
The Central Africans hope to be third-time lucky against the competition hosts, having eliminated host nations enroute to previous triumphs. Côte D’Ivoire has always been ontop in this fixture when their meeting ended 2-2 back in 2017.
Serge Aurier, accumulated bookings Odilon Kossounou, two yellow cards against Mali and Oumar Diakite for a similar offense after scoring late in the last match will not be available for The Elephants.
Ibrahim Sangaré could be back while much loved Sébastien Haller hopefully satrs for the first time.
Gael Kakuta was DRC’s big miss in the last two matches and the attack midfielder’s passing quality would be highly welcomed against Côte D’Ivoire.
Mbemba, Masuaku,Dylan Batubinsinka and Theo Bongonda are the Congolese players who must avoid being booked so as to preserve a potential appearance in the final.
