Ivory Coast booked their place in the 2015 African Cup of Nations final following a 3-1 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Estadio de Bata on Wednesday evening.
Goals from Yaya Toure, Gervinho and Serge Wilfried Kanon secured the Elephants’ place in the AFCON final for the third time in nine years.
Having netted 10 goals between them in two qualifying match-ups, goals were to be expected and that is exactly what the sides delivered in what was a thrilling semifinal encounter.
Both teams were guilty of starting slow at this year’s tournament, but DR Congo should have been ahead with six minutes on the clock.
Jeremie Bokila shrugged off his marker before forcing Sylvain Gbohouo into a superb reflex save.
Ivory Coast soon found their rhythm and opened the scoring through African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure in the 20th minute.
Wilfried Bony’s blocked effort fell favourably for the Elephants captain who fired an unstoppable effort past Robert Kidiaba from the edge of the area.
The Ivorian’s lead though would only last four minutes as Dieumerci Mbokani grabbed his third goal of the tournament from the penalty spot, Eric Bailly leaving the referee with no option to award a penalty after he handled the ball inside the area.