Ivory Coast, Nigeria to meet in final
Sébastien Haller fired hosts Ivory Coast into an Africa Cup of Nations final against old foe Nigeria with a 1-0 win over Congo yesterday.
Haller scored when his volley from Max Gradel’s cross bounced before going under the crossbar in the 65th minute, setting off wild celebrations in the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
Haller was making his first start of the tournament after recovering fully from an ankle injury, which is further good news for Ivorians who were already convinced God is helping the Elephants to their third Africa Cup title.
Progress seemed unlikely after a 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea left Ivory Coast on the verge of a groupstage exit. Ivory Coast bounced back after firing their coach by overcoming one setback after another.
“It’s like a dream,” said interim coach Emerse Faé, who had to do without four players suspended for the semi-final following the dramatic quarterfinal win over Mali.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty earlier to send Nigeria to the final with a 4-2 shootout victory over South Africa after their semi-final ended 1-1 after extra time.
“It has been with me since growing up. I need to win something with the Super Eagles,” Nigeria star Victor Osimhen said.
Congo had made a good start against the hosts. Cédric Bakambu thought he’d put the Leopards ahead, but his celebrations were cut short after the goal was ruled out.
“It could have been another match,” Congo’s coach Sébastien Desabre said of the disallowed goal. “We can’t rewrite history. It is how it is.”
Simon Adingra headed a good chance wide, and Franck Kessié struck the post for Ivory Coast, while Yoane Wissa had a big chance saved by Fofana at the other end.
Fan favourite Haller headed the best chance of the first half wide in the 41st and missed other good chances. All were forgiven when he scored the winner.
There were no heroics this time in the penalty shootout from South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who saved four in the quarter-final win over Cape Verde.
Nigeria counterpart Stanley Nwabali made two penalty saves to deny the Bafana Bafana a place in the final – diving to the bottom left corner to thwart Teboho Mokoena, then Evidence Makgopa’s centrally placed effort.