Sebastien Haller fired host nation Ivory Coast into an Africa Cup of Nations ultimate in opposition to outdated foe Nigeria with a 1-0 win over Congo on Wednesday.
Haller scored when his volley from Max Gradel’s cross bounced earlier than stepping into below the crossbar within the sixty fifth minute, setting off wild celebrations within the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
Haller was making his first begin of the event after recovering totally from an ankle harm, additional excellent news for Ivorians who have been already satisfied God helps the Elephants to their third Africa Cup title.
Progress appeared unlikely after a 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea left the workforce on the verge of a group-stage exit. However Ivory Coast has bounced again since firing its coach by overcoming one setback after one other.
“It’s like a dream,” mentioned interim coach Emerse Faé, who needed to do with out 4 gamers who have been suspended for the semifinal following the dramatic quarterfinal win over Mali.
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Kelechi Iheanacho scored the profitable penalty earlier to ship Nigeria to the ultimate with a 4-2 shootout victory over South Africa after their semifinal ended 1-1 after further time.
“It has been with me since rising up, I have to win one thing with the Tremendous Eagles,” Nigeria star Victor Osimhen mentioned.
Congo had made a great begin in opposition to the house workforce. Cédric Bakambu thought he’d put the Leopards forward however his celebrations have been minimize brief and the purpose dominated out as goalkeeper Yahia Fofana was deemed to have had the ball.
“It may have been one other match,” Congo coach Sébastien Desabre mentioned of the disallowed purpose. “However we are able to’t re-write historical past. It’s how it’s.”
Simon Adingra headed a great probability large and Franck Kessié struck the put up for Ivory Coast, whereas Yoane Wissa had an large probability saved by Fofana on the different finish.
Fan favourite Haller headed the very best probability of the primary half large within the forty first and went on to overlook different good possibilities. All have been forgiven when he scored the winner.
Congo’s gamers and Desabre protested by holding their proper fingers in entrance of their mouths and two fingers to their temples through the nation’s anthem to highlight the armed violence participating within the east of the nation. The gamers additionally wore black armbands for the sport.
SUPER EAGLES PREVAIL
There have been no heroics this time within the penalty shootout from South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who saved 4 within the quarterfinal win over Cape Verde.
Nigeria counterpart Stanley Nwabali made two penalty saves to disclaim the Bafana Bafana a spot within the ultimate — diving to the underside left nook to thwart Teboho Mokoena, then Proof Makgopa’s centrally positioned effort.
The sport in Bouaké had barely began when Osimhen doubled over in obvious ache. Osimhen was an harm fear earlier than the sport due to stomach ache, however he was in a position to resume after a short pause.
Nwabali was busy early on as South Africa dominated possession and created extra possibilities within the first half.
Nigeria bought its break halfway by way of the second when Mothobi Mvala conceded a penalty for a foul on Osimhen.
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong coolly fired the spot kick to the middle of the purpose within the 67th, although Williams nearly stopped it together with his legs.
Osimhen thought he’d sealed the win within the eighty fifth, solely to have the purpose dominated out after a VAR examine discovered Alhassan Yusuf had fouled Percy Tau within the space. South Africa was duly awarded a penalty.
Mokoena made no mistake with the spot kick to equalize within the ninetieth minute and Khuliso Mudau went on to overlook an excellent probability to seal a South African win in stoppage time.