Cote d'Ivoire vs Congo DR Match Analysis & Prediction
07/02/2024 11:00 pm
Ivory Coast will take on Congo DR at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Wednesday night in the second semi-final at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
No other team has epitomised the drama-laden AFCON more than host nation Ivory Coast, who have soldiered on despite their challenges with injuries and a dispiriting group stage.
The Elephants were on the verge of elimination after losing heavily in their final group-stage match against Equatorial Guinea, but faith has been renewed in this side under Emerse Fae’s leadership since the ex-Ivory Coast international replaced Jean-Louis Gasset before their knockout fate was determined.
Since that decision, Cote d’Ivoire have eliminated defending champions Senegal and fought back incredibly with 10 men to score in the final minute of regulation and extra time to secure a victory over Mali that raised the roof in Bouake.
While it is uncertain if Ivory Coast have anything left in the tank, considering they have played an extra 30 minutes against Senegal and in Saturday’s quarter-final win, the Elephants hope to draw inspiration from a crowd to take them through to their first final since reigning supreme on the continent in 2015.
As for Sebastien Desabre’s side, securing their first regulation-time victory over Guinea was timely, as they avoided playing an additional 30 minutes in the 3-1 win.
The upshot of Chancel Mbemba, Yoane Wissa and Arthur Masuaku scoring against Guinea means Congo DR have made it to the tournament’s semis for the first time since 2015 and only the second time since the turn of the millenium.
The Leopards have barely played this fixture since securing the 1974 title and have been beaten in both semis in 1998 and 2015, even if they claimed third place in both editions to lessen the pain of not making the deciding match.
Cote d'Ivoire vs. Congo DR Head to head
In the 10 previous meetings between these two teams, Ivory Coast have claimed four victories while Congo have won three, and they have drawn in three. Congo have scored 17 goals and conceded 19 in the process.
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15/10/2014Cote d'Ivoire3Congo DR4AFCON Qualification
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04/02/2015Congo DR1Cote d'Ivoire3CAF Africa Cup of Nations
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20/01/2017Cote d'Ivoire2Congo DR2CAF Africa Cup of Nations
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13/10/2019Cote d'Ivoire3Congo DR1Friendlies
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18/01/2024Congo DR0Cote d'Ivoire0CAF African Nations Championship
Cote d'Ivoire Team News
Ivory Coast are without the suspended Serge Aurier for an accumulation of cards, and Odilon Kossounou, sent off for two yellow card offences in a nightmare 45 minutes against Mali.
The Elephants have not started a game with Sebatien Haller and Simon Adingra, scorer of the 90-minute equaliser in the last eight, but Fae could be tempted to play the pair from the start on Wednesday.
Cote d'Ivoire's Last 5 Matches
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13/01/2024Cote d'Ivoire2Guinea-Bissau0CAF Africa Cup of Nations
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18/01/2024Cote d'Ivoire0Nigeria1CAF Africa Cup of Nations
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22/01/2024Equatorial Guinea4Cote d'Ivoire0CAF Africa Cup of Nations
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29/01/2024Senegal1Cote d'Ivoire1 PCAF Africa Cup of Nations
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03/02/2024Mali1Cote d'Ivoire2 ECAF Africa Cup of Nations
Congo DR Team News
Congo DR were without former Chelsea man Gael Kakuta in the round of 16 and quarter-final, and the attacking midfielder is doubtful for their next game.
The Leopards have four players risking suspension in a potential final, with Mbemba, Masuaku, Dylan Batubinsika and Theo Bongonda picking up bookings in the previous knockout rounds.
Congo DR's Last 5 Matches
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17/01/2024Congo DR1Zambia1CAF Africa Cup of Nations
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21/01/2024Morocco1Congo DR1CAF Africa Cup of Nations
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24/01/2024Tanzania0Congo DR0CAF Africa Cup of Nations
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28/01/2024Egypt1Congo DR1 PAfrica Cup of Nations
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02/02/2024Congo DR3Guinea1CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Cote d'Ivoire vs. Congo DR: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
Double Chance: Ivory Coast or X
Best Odds
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