Sebastien Haller emerged as the hero for Ivory Coast who edged out DR Congo to set up an Africa Cup of Nations final meeting with Nigeria.
It has been a fairy-tale run for the hosts as it has been just two weeks since they sacked head coach Jean-Louis Gasset after a 4-0 thrashing to Equatorial Guinea.
Since Emerse Fae took over, the Elephants have crushed every opponent and have looked like a squad on a mission.
On Wednesday, it was no different.
It was a frenetic start to the match, as a goalkeeping howler from Yahia Fofana saw Congo’s Cedric Bakambu find the net after latching onto a cross from Arthur Masuaku.
However, much to the dismay of the visitors, the referee called a foul on the shot-stopper and disallowed the goal.
Fae’s charges then started to grow in the match and finished the half strongly.
Haller missed a sitter despite being unmarked, while former Barcelona midfielder, Franck Kessie, was denied by the woodwork after he rifled in a low shot from the edge of the Congo penalty box.
Spectacular Stike
Ivory Coast continued to build pressure and were rewarded for their perseverance in the 65th minute when Haller spectacularly struck to put the Elephants ahead.
The Borussia Dortmund striker could have doubled his tally five minutes later after an awful defensive header from Kalulu gifted possession to him.
Congo tried to get back into the game, but Ivory Coast held firm to book their place in the final against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Read more:Â Nigeria Beat South Africa On Penalties, Head To Final
When Ivory Coast lifted their second AFCON title back in 2015, they beat Congo in the last four by a 3-1 margin.
Yaya Toure, Gervinho, and Serge Kanon scored on that fateful night for The Elephants.
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