Overview:
Cote d’Ivoire will now face rivals Nigeria in the long awaited finale on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan.
AFCON 2023:
Semi-finals:
- Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 Democratic Republic of Congo
- Nigeria 1 (4) – 1 (2) South Africa
2023 AFCON hosts Cote d’Ivoire will face Nigeria in the final on Sunday, 11th February 2024 at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe.
Cote d’Ivoire overcame Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 1-0 in the second semifinal played on Wednesday night.
Teddy Sebastien Romain Haller was the hero with a superbly volleyed goal in the 65th minute.
The French-born striker who features for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund struck home the all-important goal past goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi Nzau.
Haller’s well-timed volley came off skipper Max Gradel’s cross from the right flank.
Amid loud cheers from the stands, the host country held onto the lead to progress to the final.
Cote D’Ivoire will now face rivals Nigeria in the long-awaited finale on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Super Eagles eliminated 1996 AFCON champions South Africa 4-2 in post-match penalties at Stade Bouake during the first semi-final.
Normal time of this interesting duel had ended 1-goal apiece with the additional 30 minutes also ending all square before the decisive shoot-out.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes, the game was lit up with a penalty by Nigerian captain William Troost Ekong in the 67th minute.
There was drama as South Africa equalized through a penalty by Teboho Mokoena at the stroke of full-time.
The penalty was awarded after a VAR review despite Nigeria having scored earlier to make it 2-0 through talisman Victor Oshimen.
With Oshimen’s goal disallowed, an earlier foul was called against Nigeria with Mokoena scoring the equalizer to force the extra 30 minutes.
South Africa were reduced to 10 men following a red card for Grant Kekana in the 115th minute.
In the tense shoot-out, South Africa missed two penalties after Nigerian goalkeeper Stlaney Bobbi Nwabali saved twice. The Chippa United goalkeeper saved from Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa in the shoot-out.
South Africa will battle the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 3rd-Place Playoff at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday, 10th February 2024.
