DR Congo FC are looking to resume their impressive campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations, with a win over Ivory Coast FC, who had a challenging campaign. These two teams already have history against each other, as they already met thrice in the Africa Cup finals. Additionally, both Congo and Ivory Coast are confident coming into this game, considering their recent results. Moreover, Congo and Ivory Coast are no longer new to the title, as both already won twice in the Africa Cup. Congo is from a 3-1 win against Guinea, giving them confidence for their semis match. On the other hand, for Ivory Coast, they were able to earn a 2-1 win against Mali for their quarterfinals match. The meeting between these two teams is on February 8, 2024, at 4:00 AM (GMT+8).
DR Congo FC
Sebastien Desabre’s team secured their first regulation-time victory over Guinea, avoiding an additional 30 minutes in a 3-1 win. Congo made it to the competition’s semis for the first time since 2015. Moreover, it is only the second time since the turn of the millennium. DRC have rarely played this fixture since claiming the 1974 title. In fact, they were defeated in both semis in 1998 and 2015. The Leopards hope to be third-time lucky against the competition hosts, with the benefit of already playing at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium against Guinea. However, they did not contend with a partisan and hostile crowd in that fixture, suggesting different questions will be asked of Desabre’s side against the Elephants. These teams have not met at AFCON since the 2017 edition. This extends DRC’s winless run against Ivory Coast at the Cup of Nations.
Desabre’s team is uncertain about Gael Kakuta’s availability for their next fixture. Moreover, there are four players risking suspension in a potential final, and an unchanged side could face the Leopards.
Ivory Coast FC
The host nation, Ivory Coast, has demonstrated resilience despite facing injuries and a dispiriting group stage in the Cup of Nations. Under Emerse Fae’s leadership, the Elephants have eliminated defending champions Senegal and fought back with 10 men to secure a remarkable victory over Mali. The hosts hope to draw inspiration from the crowd to take them through to their first final since 2015. They have played an extra 30 minutes against the Lions of Teranga and in Saturday’s quarter-final success, and hope to draw inspiration from a crowd to take them through to their first final since 2015. With their ability to fight back from slow starts, the Elephants have nothing to fear against the DRC, even if Fae aims to avoid falling behind for the fourth game in succession.
Ivory Coast is without suspended Serge Aurier, Odilon Kossounou, and Oumar Diakite due to cards. Sebastien Haller and Simon Adingra are not starting games, but Fae could play them from off on Wednesday. Ibrahimhim Sangare could replace Franck Kessie if healthy.
Prediction:
Ivory Coast (1.5)
Odds: -0.89
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