Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo: Host nation through to AFCON final after Sebastien Haller bags winning goal

Sebastien Haller struck the winner as Ivory Coast kept their dream of lifting their first AFCON title on home soil alive courtesy of a 1-0 victory over DR Congo in a keenly-contested semi-final in Abidjan.

The hosts, who were a whisker away from being eliminated in the group stage, are now one step from being crowned Kings of the continent for a third time after producing one of their most assured displays of the tournament.

DR Congo were appearing in their first semi-final since 2015 and thought they had made the perfect start when Cedric Bakambu nodded in from close range, but the goal was chalked off for a foul on goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

Ivory Coast grew as the half wore on and were unlucky not to go in ahead at the interval following a flurry of late chances. First, Haller flashed a free header wide before Franck Kessie struck the post with a low shot from the right edge of the area.

The second period was a tight affair but the hosts broke the deadlock on 65 minutes when Borussia Dortmund forward Haller saw his volley crash into the turf before looping over Lionel Mpasi into the net.

DR Congo pushed for a late equaliser but could not manufacture an opening as their bid for a first title since 1974 came to an end.

Ivory Coast will now meet Nigeria in Sunday’s final in Abidjan.

Is it destined that The Elephants’ third AFCON title will come on home turf on Sunday evening?

It remains to be seen but the growth of the side as this tournament has developed has been quite incredible.

A win and two defeats in the group stage left them staring down the barrel as the fifth best of six third-placed teams (with only four qualifying alongside the top two in each pool).

But then came the miracle that saw Ghana capitulate in stoppage time and suddenly there was a reprieve.

Head coach Jean-Louis Gasset had already fallen on his sword and left his role but interim boss Emerse Fae has overseen a sensational rise from the ashes.

There have been more moments of drama since with come-from-behind knockout wins over holders Senegal and neighbours Mali, but now they are on the cusp of something very special and that 4-0 humbling to Equatorial Guinea now seems like a lifetime ago.

The country truly believes and the momentum and sense of destiny will make The Elephants a tough obstacle for Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Sunday.

Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast). The 22-year-old winger enjoyed another livewire performance. The crowd buzzed in expectation whenever the Brighton forward was on the ball, and although he did not have a hand in the goal, he was central to a lot of the good work Ivory Coast did throughout a strong overall showing.

IVORY COAST: Y Fofana 7, Singo 8, Boly 7, Ndicka 7, Konan 7, Seri 7, S Fofana 7, Kessie 8, Adingra *8, Gradel 8, Haller 7. Subs: Amani 6, Sangare 6, Bamba 6, Krasso n/a, Boga n/a.

DR CONGO: M’Pasi 7, Kalulu 6, Mbemba 6, Inonga 6, Masuaku 7, Moutoussamy 6, Pickel 6, Wissa 6, Elia 6, Kakuta 6, Bakambu 6. Subs: Bongonda 7, Tshibola 6, Mayele 6, Banza 6, Katompa 6.

40’ – IVORY COAST CHANCE! Haller somehow contrives to bullet a free header wide from Singo’s pinpoint cross.

42’ – IVORY COAST CHANCE! Kessie races on to Gradel’s touch-off but sees his 18-yard strike come back off the far post!

48’ – DR CONGO CHANCE! Bongonda slaloms into the box from the right, gliding beyond a couple of challenges before firing a low shot into the near side netting.

65’ – GOAL! – Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo: (Haller). It’s the former West Ham forward that makes the breakthrough! Haller volleys a right-wing cross into the floor and reels away in delight as it loops over the keeper and into the net.