BATA, Equatorial Guinea _ Yaya Toure saved the Elephants, as the Manchester City midfielder stepped up his game to defeat the Leopards of the DRC 3-1 to advance to the finals of the Africa Coup of Nations. .
Toure, who had been unimpressive during much of the tournament, scored the first goal 20 minutes in from the penalty area with control, firing the ball past DR Congo goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba.
“I didn’t like the game, we did not do all the things we were supposed to do,” Cote D’Ivoire coach Herve Renard told reporters after the game.
He also praised his opponent, DRC coach Florent Ibenge, saying “he one of the competent African coach you have.”
Ibenge disputed the fact that his squad was tired:
“I didn’t see tired players, they were running with full energy and wanting to move forward,” he said. I think it was lack of maturity and making a number of mistakes and not take advantage of the opportunities they got.”
Ivory Coast moves to the final Sunday, to take on the winner of the Ghana and Equatorial Guinea match, to be played Thursday.