7th February, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Elephant of Cote d’Ivoire defeated DR Congo 1-0 on Wednesday in the semi-final to set of a final clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Sebastien Haller scored in the 65th minute with a brilliant shot into the roof of the net after being released inside the box by a superb lofted pass from Max Gradel to give Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 lead.
Earlier, Wilfried Singo sent a brilliant curling cross into the heart of the defence and into the path of Simon Adingra, whose header from the centre of the box went a whisker wide of the right post.
In the 29th minute, a loose ball was pounced on by Yoane Wissa inside the box. He immediately fired in a shot towards the bottom left corner, but Yahia Fofana was alert and made a comfortable save.
In the 40th minute, Wilfried Singo swung the cross over. Haller got his head to the ball but it went just wide of the right post.
In the 59th minute, a snap shot by Franck Kessie from mid-range towards the middle of the goal caught Lionel Mpasi-Nzau flat footed, but he somehow recovered and made a brilliant save.
Midway into the second half, Haller was quickest inside the box and leapt to connect with the resulting set piece. He produced a fine header, but it floated just over the crossbar.
In the 82nd minute, Max Gradel went down under a challenge in the box, but the referee immediately waved away the appeals from all players.