Ivory Coast Defeats DR Congo to Advance to Africa Cup of Nations Final

Sebastien Haller's 65th-minute goal propelled Ivory Coast into the Africa Cup of Nations final. The Ivorian team's resurgence in the tournament has been impressive, especially considering they almost faced elimination in the group phase. The 1-0 victory against Democratic Republic of Congo has paved the way for Ivory Coast to challenge Nigeria in the final. Meanwhile, DR Congo will contest South Africa for the third place. Sebastien Haller made an impactful return to the starting lineup after an ankle injury, securing the crucial goal that ultimately led to Ivory Coast's triumph in the semi-final match. Despite some missed opportunities, including a close-range header and a clever but off-target volley, Haller's goal proved decisive in securing the victory. Additionally, a powerful left-footed shot from Franck Kessie hit the woodwork, highlighting Ivory Coast's dominance throughout the match. DR Congo, aiming to reach their first final in five decades, fell short in their efforts, ultimately leading to Ivory Coast's advancement to the final. The Ivorian team's remarkable recovery in the tournament has erased the memory of a 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea and the subsequent sacking of their veteran French coach. The capacity home crowd celebrated Ivory Coast's victory, signifying the team's successful turnaround in the Africa Cup of Nations. While DR Congo will face South Africa in the third place playoff, Ivory Coast looks ahead to a showdown with Nigeria in the final.