Wednesday February 7, 2024
- Stade Alassane Ouattara, Abidjan 11pm
DR Congo have a stern test against hosts Cote d’Ivoire as they aim to reach their first Africa Cup of Nations since 1974.
The two nations clash at the 60,000 capacity Stade Alassane Ouattara in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
Speaking to the press, DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre and his midfielder Charles Pickel are ready to use the hostile home crowd to their advantage.
“It will be a game like any other. It’s a semi-final we are ready to compete in,” said Pickel.
“We play in front of big crowds for our clubs so it’s not entirely new. They will have huge support but we’re aware of that.”
His coach echoed nearly same sentiments saying the atmosphere could work against their opponents if things go DR Congo’s way.
“Playing in a big stadium with lots of fans is usual for us. The advantage can become a disadvantage sometimes,” he said prudently.
Interim Elephants coach Emerse Fae wants a fast start to avoid chasing games like it was the case against both Senegal and Mali in the previous rounds.
“In our previous games we’ve struggled at the start,” he stated. “This time we’ll look to capitalise on the confidence we’ve built to impose our gameplan from the off.”
“We were almost out but we refocused as a group, restored confidence and understood we had to be united. I knew we had the quality; the key was recreating that team dynamic.”
Emerse Faé’s men needed a 90th minute equaliser and extra-time to beat Mali in the quarter finals, and with two players sent off in that victory, his squad is far from its strongest ahead of their first AFCON semi-final since 2015.
