AFCON 2023 : The Ivory Coast Elephants qualify for final after narrow victory against DRC Leopards
Miraculously advancing through the group stages, the Ivory Coast Elephants played in the semi-finals of the 2023 AFCON against the DR Congo Leopards on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. It was a match that saw the Elephants qualify by the narrowest of margins (1-0).
Deprived of four suspended players for this semi-final, the host country of the 2023 AFCON had to overcome the Leopards to reach the final against Nigeria.
The DR Congo team, led by Marseille’s Chancel Mbemba, eliminated Egypt in the round of 16 before defeating Guinea 3-1 in the quarter-finals. Guinea was the same team that had handed the Ivory Coast a lesson in the group stages.
With the DR Congo, a nation awaiting a final appearance for 50 years, it was indeed a clash of titans in this second semi-final match of the 34th edition.
Sébastien Haller found the back of the net in the 75th minute. The Ivorian striker continued to trouble L. Mpasi. The Leopards managed to create some chances, but the outcome of the match remained unchanged. The final score was 1-0 in favor of the Elephants.
The lineup for the final of this edition is now well known. The host country will face the Super Eagles, who defeated Bafana Bafana in a penalty shootout.
