Ivorians beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 within the regulation 90 minutes, handing them a slight benefit [Getty]
Ivory Coast can full a outstanding restoration and put a profitable seal on an absorbing Africa Cup of Nations match if they’ll beat Nigeria on Sunday and declare the title on residence soil.
Hollywood screenwriters would discover their passage to potential glory barely believable, however the Ivorians are one recreation away from the continent’s high prize regardless of being on the verge of elimination on a number of events over the past month.
They scraped by the group part, staged thrilling come-from-behind wins within the last-16 and quarter-final and are actually trying to full one of many nice comebacks within the match’s storied historical past.
“I don’t have the phrases, I nonetheless have hassle taking all of it in,” admitted Ivory Coast’s coach Emerse Fae.
Fae was catapulted into the job after 70-year-old Frenchman Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked because the Ivorians waited for 3 days to seek out out whether or not they would qualify from the group part as top-of-the-line third-placed sides.
Once they did, they went on to beat holders Senegal on penalties after which snatch a quarter-final win over neighbours Mali, the place they have been right down to 10 males for many the match, equalised within the ninetieth minute after which netted the winner on the finish of additional time.
“It is unbelievable, to succeed in the ultimate in your nation’s match. It’s an immense pleasure. The gamers have performed extraordinary issues,” added Fae, 40.
The Ivorians misplaced to Nigeria of their second group recreation when a cagey contest was determined by a penalty, solely awarded after a prolonged VAR assessment.
Nigeria employed a intelligent tactical plan, which included an uncharacteristic five-man defence and in depth use of the flanks to assault.
Their X-factor, nevertheless, stays striker Victor Osimhen, who has had an excellent match regardless of scoring solely as soon as.
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The reigning African Footballer of the Yr has an attention-grabbing work fee and is a continuing menace for opposing defenders though he struggled with a abdomen grievance of their semi-final success over South Africa.
Nigeria have been taken to further time and penalties on Wednesday earlier than securing their remaining berth whereas the Ivorians beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 within the regulation 90 minutes, handing them a slight benefit.
With the match being performed in scorching temperatures and with excessive ranges of humidity, fatigue has been noticeable for groups enjoying once more just a few days after being compelled into further time.
The match was additionally marked by a sequence of early shock outcomes that created pleasure that has barely waned over the past month of soccer.
The Ivorians are the primary hosts since Egypt in 2006 to succeed in the ultimate and are chasing a 3rd Cup of Nations success after profitable in 1992 and 2015. Nigeria have received three titles, the final of which was in 2013.
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