An unprecedented African Cup final

Issue 34 Africa Cup of Nations (Canada) this was disputed in Ivory Coast from January 13 last year he will have unpublished finale, following the results recorded in the two semi-final matches played this Wednesday. On one hand, the hosts defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal from Sebastien Haller, giving his country a place in its fifth continental final. A few hours ago, Nigeria took first place in the great title fight which will take place next Sunday at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium. The Green Eagles will play their eighth final after a victory over South Africa that brought controversy and misery; Well, VAR overturned the 2-0 score and awarded the 1-1 penalty, forcing extra time in the draw, which the Nigerians won in a fateful penalty shootout.

Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo: Haller chooses host

Under Emers Fae, Ivory Coast knew how to use their pitch to fulfill their role as favorites against rivals DR Congo, who were aiming for their first African Cup final. Ivorian painting will fight for his third continental titleafter two victories in 1992 and 2015, both against Ghana. They also finished runners-up in 2006 and 2012, when they lost on penalties to Egypt and Zambia respectively.

The Congolese side, who will be battling for third and fourth place against South Africa on Saturday, kept their spirits up until the hour mark when they conceded a goal that proved decisive. In the 65th minute, a cross into the penalty area hung Max Gradel he was controlled from the right flank Sebastian Haller, which ended with a volley that goalkeeper Loyonel Mpasi-Nazu could do nothing about. From that point on, with the score in their favour, Côte d’Ivoire took control of the game and held off desperate attempts by their opponents to return the game to a draw.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa: semi-final with VAR and penalties

The first CAN semi-final took place this Wednesday at the Bouaké Municipal Stadium between Nigeria and South Africa. a clash that was decided after 11 penalties: two in normal time and nine scored in a 4-2 win for Nigeria, who will be seeking their fourth title on Sunday after winning in 1980 (3-0 against Algeria), 1994 (2-1 with Zambia) and in 2013 (1-0 with Burkina Faso). They also finished second in the 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000 editions.

Nigeria, coached by Jose Peseiro, won by the narrowest of margins in the 67th minute. William Trost Ekong converted the penalty against Victor

Osimhen. The Naples player also became the protagonist in the 85th minute, scoring a goal that seemed to be decisive. However, VAR called the referee, who overturned the 2-0 score due to Alhassan Yusuf’s earlier foul in Nigerian territory on Percy Tau. The score was 2-0, a penalty in favor of South Africa, which Teboho Mokoena converted to make it 1-1 in the 89th minute. In extra time, the draw remained despite the fact that the South Africans were left with ten men due to the sending off of Grant Kekana and everything was decided from eleven meters.