The Elephants of La Côte d’Ivoire and the Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo will seek to inch closer to a coveted third title as they face off in the second semi-final game at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
Mixed fortunes have characterised the run of these two sides in the tournament.
Hosts La Côte d’Ivoire will count themselves luckier after almost embarrassingly exiting the tourney at the group phase following two losses – first to fellow semi-finalists Nigeria and embarrassingly to Equatorial Guinea by 4-0.
Since that scare, the two-time champions have lifted themselves up, seeing off Senegal and Mali after 120 minutes in each game to make it to this stage.
The team has been buoyed by the vociferous crowd anytime the game enters extra time.
DR Congo, on the other hand, drew in all their games until the quarter-finals where they managed a 3-1 win.
They started with a 1-1 draw with Zambia in Group F and ended their second game, against Morocco, by the same scoreline. The final group game against Tanzania ended goalless.
Their Round of 16 game against record champions Egypt ended 1-1 after extra time but they won 8-7 on penalties.
The two-time champions found their goals in the quarters as they came from 1-0 down to beat Guinea 3-1 at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara D’Ebimpé.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre says his charges have recovered well and are poised to make it to the final.
“We approach this with calmness and patience. The boys have recovered well after beating Guinea,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
“Having an extra day of rest compared to our opponent could also be key.”
If their form is anything to go by, DR Congo will march on to the finals but if the hosts send the game to extra time, the 12th man in the supporters will count crucial for them.
Kick-off is at 2000GMT at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara D’Ebimpé.
Libyan referee Mutaz Ibrahim will be the man at the center to officiate the game.
