AFCON: IVORY COAST INTO FINAL AFTER 3-1 VICTORY OVER DR CONGO

Ivory Coast are one victory away from winning their first Africa Cup of Nations since 1992 after beating DR Congo 3-1 in the semi-final.

The favourites, who last reached the final three years ago, went ahead on the night thanks to a blistering strike from Yaya Toure, who lashed home an unstoppable drive from the edge of the box.
But the joy of going ahead was tempered by a needless hand ball in the box from Eric Bailly three minutes later, Dieumerci Mbokani drawing DR Congo level from the spot.
A well taken goal from Gervinho just before the break edged Ivory Coast ahead and Wilfried Kanon completed the job be following up Serge Aurier’s saved header with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Victory for Ivory Coast means that they will now face either Ghana or Equatorial Guinea, who face one another for a spot in the final on Thursday.

KEY MOMENTS
5’ – CHANCE DR CONGO: The ball falls to Bokila in the box and Sylvain does well to block his shot before Kolo Toure does likewise to block Mbokani’s shot over the bar.
20’ – GOAL! DR Congo 0-1 Ivory Coast: It’s an absolute rocket from Yaya Toure into the roof of the net from the edge of the box after the ball fell to him from Bony’s blocked shot. Muteba no chance.
24’ – GOAL! DR Congo 1-1 Ivory Coast: The lead is short lived after a needless hand ball in the box from Bailly concedes a penalty. Mbokani does the rest from the spot to slot home his third of the tournament.
36’ – CHANCE DR CONGO: The ball breaks to Dieumerci Mbokani at the back stick, but he completely fluffs his effort.
39’ – CHANCE GERVINHO! His header is superbly cleared off the line by Zakuani from Aurier’s cross.
40’ – GOAL! DR Congo 1-2 Ivory Coast: Ivory Coast break and have a three on two. Bony chooses the right option and plays in Gervinho who slots calmly past Muteba.
53’ – CHANCE BOLASIE: He beats three defenders with a mazy run before unleashing a goalbound shot that the keeper does well to save.
86’ – GOAL! DR Congo 1-3 Ivory Coast: Kanon follows up Aurier’s saved header by slotting home the third.
87’ – CHANCE IVORY COAST: They have three on three. Kalou plays in Gervinho and it looks like he’ll score but it’s a good save from Muteba.

KEY STATS
DR Congo score in the opening half for the first time in the tournament.
Mbokani scores his third goal of the tournament.
Gervinho scores his second goal of the tournament.
Ivory Coast reach their first AFCON final for three years.

TALKING POINT
Aurier sleeping during the break? A bizarre start to the second half saw Ivory Coast almost concede with ten men on the pitch. He trots on 90 seconds into the second half just as his keeper makes a save from Bolasie!

MAN OF THE MATCH
Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast) Full of running all night, potent in attack and tireless in defence. Created numerous chanced down the right and was in the right place to set up the second that put his side on the way to victory.

PLAYER RATINGS
DR Congo: Muteba 6, Zakuani 6, Mbemba 6, Mpeko 6, Kimuaki 6, Kasusula 7, Makiadi 6, Mbokani 7, Mabwati 6, Bolasie 7, Bokila 6. SUBS: Kabananga 6, Kebano 7, Mubele 6.
Ivory Coast: Sylvain 6, Bailly 6, Kanon 7, Aurier 8, K. Toure 6, Tiene 6, Serey Die 6, Yaya Toure 7, Gradel 6, Bony 6, Gervinho 7. SUBS: Kalou 6, Diarra 6, Traore 6.