Sebastien Haller fired host nation Ivory Coast into an Africa Cup of Nations remaining in opposition to outdated foe Nigeria with a 1-0 win over Congo on Wednesday.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 underneath 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 good 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 group on the verge of a group-stage exit. But 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 growing up, I need to win something with the Super Eagles,” Nigeria star Victor Osimhen mentioned.
Congo had made a great begin in opposition to the house group. Cédric Bakambu thought he’d put the Leopards forward however his celebrations have been lower brief and the objective dominated out as goalkeeper Yahia Fofana was deemed to have had the ball.
“It could have been another match,” Congo coach Sébastien Desabre mentioned of the disallowed objective. “But we can’t re-write history. It is how it is.”
Simon Adingra headed a great probability huge and Franck Kessié struck the submit for Ivory Coast, whereas Yoane Wissa had an massive probability saved by Fofana on the different finish.
Fan favourite Haller headed the most effective probability of the primary half huge 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 remaining — diving to the underside left nook to thwart Teboho Mokoena, then Evidence Makgopa’s centrally positioned effort.
The recreation in Bouaké had barely began when Osimhen doubled over in obvious ache. Osimhen was an harm fear earlier than the sport due to belly 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 via 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 objective within the 67th, although Williams nearly stopped it along with his legs.
Osimhen thought he’d sealed the win within the eighty fifth, solely to have the objective 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 awesome probability to seal a South African win in stoppage time.
Source web site: sportstar.thehindu.com
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