The miracle continues for Ivory Coast.
For their return to the Alassane-Ouattara stadium in Abidjan, where they experienced the 4-0 humiliation against Equatorial Guinea and almost left the competition 15 days ago, the Elephants dominated the DR Congo thanks to a goal from Sébastien Haller this Wednesday February 7 (1-0) in the semi-final of CAN 2024.
While no host nation has lifted the trophy since Tunisia in 2004, Côte d'Ivoire, winners in 1992 and 2015, is heading towards the fifth final in its history, which it will play in this same stadium against Nigeria Sunday (9 p.m.).
The Emerse Faé players were the most dangerous in the first half, but without managing to make their supporters jump for joy.
Haller found himself alone in the area, but, badly hit, the Dortmund player's header went wide (40th).
Just after, Kessié's tense shot hit the post of Mpasi, the Congolese goalkeeper (42nd).
🏆🌍 #CAN2023
🇨🇮🇨🇩 SÉBASTIEN HALLER DELIVERS THE IVORY COAST!!!
🔥🔥🔥
💫💥 A ZLATANESQUE jewel which allows the Elephants to get a foothold in the final #beINCAN2023 #CIVRDC https://t.co/H2TNmAJwRg
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) February 7, 2024
For an entire people, liberation arrived shortly after the break.
Following a long cross from the right from Gradel, Haller placed a strange but superb shot with his right foot, the rebound of which lobbed Mpasi, frozen in front of his line (1-0, 65th).
In Abidjan, the temperature then rose by several degrees.
Launched from deep, the Dortmund striker lobbed Mpasi, but missed the target (71st).
Replaced at the same time as Gradel in the 90th, the striker left the field to a standing ovation at the Alassane-Ouattara stadium.
The Ivorians will therefore indeed have an appointment with Nigeria, who only got rid of the tough South Africa at the end of the penalty shootout.
Led by a super Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles first saw themselves looking good, after their African Golden Ball caused a penalty, before thinking of bringing the score to 2-0 (85th).
This was without counting the cancellation of the Naples player's goal for a prior Nigerian foul in his area and a penalty awarded and transformed by Bafana Bafana.
Once the score was reduced to 1-1, the Nigerians even came close to the precipice in added time, before escaping on penalties thanks to two saves from their goalkeeper Nwabali.
Watch out for Nigeria
Nigeria, four times titled (1980, 1994, 2013) and for which this will be the 8th final, will advance as the theoretical favorite on Sunday.
In addition, Osimhen and his team, only two goals conceded in six games, make up a new-look team, compact and united, quite far from the usual “all for attack”.
However, nothing seems to be able to slow down the march of the Elephants.
They eliminated Senegal, the outgoing winner, in the round of 16 and on penalties, then Mali in the quarter.
In extremis in both cases, but as if rendered invulnerable after almost experiencing elimination in the first round.
Last parameter, Emerse Faé and his players will be able to rely on the approximately 60,000 Ivorian spectators at the Alassane-Ouattara stadium, with whom they have reconciled.
Certainly, you will have to be strong to stop the Elephants.