Cementing dominance: Ivory Coast’s victory over DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations
The Ivorian national team secured their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo with a solitary goal in the semi-final clash.
Here, we delve into the numbers behind Ivory Coast’s triumph over DR Congo:
This marks the fifth occasion that Ivory Coast has reached the final of the tournament.
The team clinched the title in 1994 and 2015, with both victories coming after penalty shootouts.
Ivory Coast asserted its historical superiority over DR Congo, having faced each other in six previous encounters.
The Ivorian team emerged victorious in three matches, drew twice, and suffered just one defeat.
The semi-final clash marked the second meeting between the two teams in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.
They previously met in the semi-finals of the 2015 edition, with Ivory Coast emerging triumphant.
By reaching the final, Ivory Coast denied DR Congo the chance to achieve a historic milestone, as the last time DR Congo reached the final was in the 1974 edition of the tournament.
Ivory Coast became the first host nation to score in a semi-final match since Egypt in 2006 when they defeated Senegal 2-1.
Despite suffering a heavy defeat to Nigeria in 1990, where they lost 5-1, Ivory Coast’s resilience throughout the tournament showcases their ability to bounce back from setbacks.
The Ivorian team’s journey to the final underscores their determination and resilience, positioning them as formidable contenders for the Africa Cup of Nations title.
