EBIMPÉ, Cote d'Ivoire
Cote d'Ivoire and DR Congo will clash on Wednesday in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023, at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpé, Abidjan.
After a rather timid start to
the competition, both teams have regained maximum confidence, thanks to results
as improbable as they are stunning.
The Ivorians achieved two
heroic victories against Senegal and Mali in the Round of 16 and
quarter-finals.
These almost miraculous
results radically changed the status of the Elephants, who were on the brink of
packing their bags after a disastrous first round.
DR Congo's Leopards recorded
three draws in the group stage, enough to advance to the round of 16, where
they defeated the seven-time African champions, Egypt, on penalties (1-1, 8-7
tab).
Sébastien Desabre and his
players had to wait until the quarter-finals to secure their first victory in
the competition against Guinea (3-1). A success that, according to Sébastien
Desabre, came at the "right time".
Despite this newfound
confidence, Cote d'Ivoire will have to do without four of its key players:
Serge Aurier, Odilon Kossounou, Oumar Diakité, and Christian Kouame, who are
suspended.
Coach Emerse Fae relies on the
solidarity shown by his players since taking charge and the depth of his bench
to compensate for the absence of these suspended stars.
The last encounter between the
Elephants and the Leopards in the Africa Cup of Nations dates back to 2017 in
Gabon during the group stage. The two teams drew 2-2.
This is the sixth time the two
countries have met in this competition. In the previous five encounters, Ivory
Coast won twice and drew twice, with one defeat.
The Cote d'Ivoire vs. DR Congo
match will kick off on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 8:00 PM GMT.
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