Ivory Coast ease into Africa Cup of Nations final with 3-1 win over DR Congo
Ivorian Elephants boss Herve Renard seeking second ACON triumph
French coach Herve Renard moved closer to a second Africa Cup of Nations triumph as Ivory Coast defeated Democratic Republic of Congo 3-1 in a semi-final in Bata on Wednesday.
Yaya Toure gave Ivory Coast the lead, Dieumerci Mbokani equalised from a penalty, Gervinho restored the lead before half-time and Serge Wilfried Kanon added a third goal.
Renard guided outsiders Zambia to glory in 2012 with a penalty shootout final victory over Ivory Coast.
There were few secrets between the teams going into the match at a far-from-full Estadio de Bata as they met twice in the qualifying competition.
Ivory Coast triumphed 2-1 in the Democratic Republic of Congo last October only to suffer a shock 4-3 home loss four days later.
DR Congo coach Florent Ibenge made one change from the team that started in a come-from-behind 4-2 quarter-final win over Congo Brazzaville with defender Joel Kimwaki replacing Cedric Mongongu.
Renard kept faith with the team that began in a 3-1 quarter-final victory over top-ranked African team Algeria.
Serey Die blazed wide at the other end on 15 minutes after he picked up the headed clearance of a Yaya Toure free kick.
Ivory Coast took the lead five minutes later with a memorable first goal of the tournament from reigning African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure.
Wilfried Bony lost possession inside the box and the ball ran loose to Yaya Toure, who belted the ball over 39-year-old goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba and into the net.
A needless hand-ball from Eric Bailly presented DR Congo with a penalty and Mbokani calmly placed the ball into the corner of the net for a 24th-minute leveller.
The dreadlocked winger, unmarked in plenty of space, latched onto a Bony pass and side-footed the ball into the net off a hand of Kidiaba.
Ivory Coast looked more likely to score as the second half progressed and a third goal came on 68 minutes.
Kidiaba did well to block a Serge Aurier header off a corner only for Kanon to score off the rebound with the ball entering the net via his knee.