The Democratic Republic of Congo was beaten with a goal by the Borussia Dortmund striker. On Sunday they face the Super Eagles of Osimhen who eliminated South Africa on penalties
Nine years later, Ivory Coast returns to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. It seems like the script of an Oscar thriller, the Elephant Cup as hosts: they were practically out, the Ivorians, brought back into the best third place thanks to the disasters of others and then suddenly winning in the direct elimination phase. Against the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the semi-final, it ended 1-0 thanks to the goal of someone who had an unfinished business with destiny. Sebastien Haller hits the mark, the Dortmund striker who takes personal revenge with destiny after the two-year fight against testicular cancer, the period of therapy and the gradual return to the pitch. The goal that qualifies for a final (from which Ivory Coast had been absent since 2015, when they lifted the trophy against Ghana) means a definitive restart for him too. On Sunday evening they will face Nigeria (who have not won the title since 2013), capable of overcoming South Africa in the other semi-final on penalties: the Super Eagles escape with the Troost-Ekong penalty (earned by Osimhen), Bafana Bafana equalize taking advantage of a sensational VAR episode, a penalty awarded in the circumstance in which the second goal was canceled (among other things scored by the Napoli striker). South Africa then scores 1-1 with Mokoena, before the lottery, which is reached after an intense but free of high-pitched extra time. The South African number one Williams, a certified penalty saver (4 out of 5 saved in Cape Verde, in the quarterfinals) this time has to take off his superhero mantle and leave it to his colleague Nwabali who rejects two out of four and then rejoices at Iheanacho’s decisive goal. Bafana Bafana will try to finish third in Saturday’s final against the Congolese, a challenge among the surprises of this tournament.
Ivory Coast-RD Congo 1-0
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Congo did better in the first few minutes: Bakambu scored in the 10th minute, but he committed a foul in attack and the joy faded immediately. Then Fofana performs a miracle on Wissa (who however kicks in a clear offside position: the VAR would have annulled it). Once the gust has passed, Ivory Coast goes forward on the wings of Adingra and Singo: the former receives a header from the latter’s cross, the ball goes out of nowhere. Even more sensational is what happens at the end of the half: first Haller misses a header from close range (40′), then Kessié goes on his own and unloads a left-footed shot, full post (43′). At half-time the Leopards replaced Kakuta with Bongonda, who was immediately the protagonist of a nice run into the area which ended just wide. Then, in the 65th minute, the match-breaking episode: cross from the right, Haller is found at the far post and crushes it with his right, drawing an uncatchable parable for the Leopards goalkeeper. First goal in the Africa Cup of Nations for the Borussia striker who has not yet scored in the Bundesliga with the yellow and blacks this year. The good thing is that there would be two more opportunities for Haller to double the lead, but his aim is inaccurate by a fingernail. Congo stays in the game, tries from outside with Elia (wide) and tries to attack towards the end, but there isn’t any space. Ivory Coast protects without even messing up too much, before rejoicing with his people at the final whistle. After the bitter tears shed against Equatorial Guinea, in a 0-4 group draw that seemed like certain elimination, Ivory Coast is now letting itself go into joy. At least until the final act, Sunday evening.
nigeria-south africa 5-3 dcr
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The first ring is Sithole’s free kick (15′) swallowed up by Nwabali. Shortly after a restart leads Percy Tau to shoot from a good position, but the attempt is central. Osimhen only threatened with a header (high ball) in the first 45 minutes, concluded by a great save from Nwabali on Makgopa’s right-foot shot: if football were won on points, the first half of the match would go to South Africa. In the second half Victor lights up. And at the first flash, halfway through the half, he split the game in two: he starts alone from twenty meters, before being knocked down in the area by the naive Mvala. Penalty kick for Nigeria: Williams would also like to hypnotize Troost-Ekong after saving four against Cape Verde, but the former Udinese player’s ball passes under his body. Bafana Bafana responds with Makgopa’s strike from the edge: the ball whistles narrowly to Nwabali’s left. What happens in the 85th minute is sensational, when Nigeria goes from Heaven to Hell in a minute: they would have scored with Osimhen on the counterattack, but the referee was called to the VAR for a kick from Yusuf to Percy Tau in the other area. From 2-0 to the colossal chance to make it 1-1: an opportunity that Mokoena didn’t miss, wrong-footing Nwabali from the spot. Nigeria feels the shock, Bafana Bafana even comes close to making it 2-1 in the 96th minute: Mokoena’s free kick is blocked by the Nigerian goalkeeper, the tap-in into an empty net falls to the feet of Mudau who sends it high. Extra time, more thrills: Williams says no to Lookman’s curling shot and Osimhen’s thunderbolt. Victor leaves the field in the 110th minute, in his place is Moffi who is immediately the protagonist: Kekana knocks him out one step away from 16 metres, the attacker falls inside the area. The VAR intervenes and has the South African sent off, awarding a free kick from the edge of the box to the Super Eagles: central shot by Iheanacho. Nothing to do, South Africa takes it to penalties like against Cape Verde. But this time he cries bitter tears, because Williams does not repeat the miracles achieved against the Blue Sharks, while Nwabali opposes Mokoena and Makgopa. In the Nigerians Aina is wrong, but it doesn’t matter; the decisive penalty falls on the feet of Iheanacho, too angled even for Williams. Then it’s the Super Eagles who are celebrating: as in 2000, they laugh against Bafana Bafana.
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