Hosts Cote d’Ivoire defeated Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in Abidjan tonight to reach the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, where they will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Sebastian Haller scored the only goal tonight at a packed Alassane Outtara Stadium in Abijdan, Sebastian Haller volleying the ball into the ground and past the DR Congo goalkeeper 20 minutes into the second half.
The hosts had dominated the first half but failed to convert their opportunities, with Borussia Dortmund striker Halle the biggest culprit.
Haller made up for the misses with the acrobatic finish, meeting Max Gradel’s cross in the Congo box.
The goal sent Cote d’Ivoire into the first AFCON final since they won the title in 2015, and they will relish the opportunity to face Nigeria again on Sunday, three weeks after losing 1-0 to the same team in the group stage.
Cote d’Ivoire, who also lost 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea in the group phase and squeezed through to the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams, are the second side in AFCON history to reach the final after a four-goal margin defeat in the first round.
Nigeria did the same in the 1990 AFCON, losing 5-1 to hosts Algeria in the group phase and 1-0 to the same team in the final.
