Ivory Coast versus DR Congo - Analysis, Forecasts, and Top Wagers Explored
Prepare to witness a riveting battle between Ivory Coast and Democratic Republic of Congo in the African Cup of Nations semi-finals on Wednesday! The Elephants have shown their mettle, managing to advance despite drawing their last two matches in 90 minutes and triumphing through penalties and extra time. Meanwhile, Congo DR have struggled, securing only two victories in their last twelve matches.
Elephants' Performances
Originally, Ivory Coast entered the tournament as hosts on a solid footing, boasting six points from their opening World Cup 2026 qualifiers after routing Seychelles 9-0 and Gambia 2-0. Following a shaky 1-0 loss to Nigeria, they fell to a humbling 4-0 defeat at the hands of Equatorial Guinea. However, caretaker coach Emerse Fae managed to guide a resilient Ivory Coast back on track, securing draws against Senegal and moving on through penalties, and ultimately triumphing over Mali 2-1 - with goals scored in the 90th and 120th minutes.
Possible Lineup: Team News
Emerse Fae has proven his decisive nature, as he benched big names during the Mali match, and Serge Aurier was subbed at halftime. Willy Boly could make a comeback, as Odilon Kossounou was suspended following a red card. Sebastien Haller is recovering from an ankle injury and is expected to start, while Simon Adingra could return after scores against Mali. Oumar Diakite, who scored the crucial goal against Sudan, is suspended for this match.
Motivation
As the host nation, Ivory Coast will benefit from the vocal support of their fans. They will view Congo DR as beatable, and will attack in a bid to avoid extra time following their previous experiences in the tournament.
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Leopards' Form
Congo DR did not enter the AFCON at their peak, having managed only one win in seven fixtures prior to the tournament. Their sole victory was against Mauritania in the World Cup qualifier. However, the team secured their place in the knockout stages after three draws in the Group stages. A 1-1 draw with Zambia and 2.54 xG produced highlighted their efforts.
Moving forward, Congo DR have shown great resilience, winning against Egypt on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the round of 16. They secured their first win in the tournament with a 3-1 victory against Guinea, despite holding only 37% possession and creating 1.88 Expected Goals.
Lineup: Team News
Coach Sebastien Desabre has a stable team, naming ten of the same XI in the last two matches. Henoc Inonga Baka replaced Dylan Batubinsika against Guinea and is expected to retain his starting spot alongside Chancel Mbemba. Yoane Wissa scored against Zambia and Guinea, establishing himself as a key player in the team. Cedric Bakambu will likely start up front in preference to Simon Banza.
Strategy
Congo DR rely on their pace and dribbling abilities, but they tend to prioritize solid defense and use transition moments offensively. They are well-equipped to handle extended periods of play in a draw.
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Key Statistics
- Congo DR have won only two out of their last twelve matches
- Congo DR have drawn four out of their five matches in this AFCON
- Ivory Coast have conceded in their last four games
- Ivory Coast are winless in their past four matches in regulation time
Prediction
With both sides displaying defensive fortitude, a draw in 90 minutes seems likely. Congo DR have shown their ability to frustrate opponents, and Ivory Coast might struggle to break through their defenses. But the Elephants will be driven by their home advantage and the support of their fans, which could push them towards a 1-1 draw or extra time.
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score at 2.15Value Bet: Draw (90 minutes) at 2.70
AFCONBafana BafanaBetting PredictionsBetting Previewbetting tipsDR CongoEditor's ChoiceIvory CoastLatest NewsNewsJames O'ConnorJames is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles. Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis
- In the upcoming AFCON semi-finals, Ivory Coast is set to face Congo DR, with both teams dependent on predicted resilience and defensive fortitude.
- Ivory Coast, despite a humbling defeat against Equatorial Guinea, has managed to qualify for the knockout stages with several drawn matches and victories through penalties and extra time.
- Congo DR, on the other hand, has struggled in recent fixtures, securing only two victories in their last twelve matches, but have shown great resilience, securing draws and wins in the AFCON through penalties and impressive offensive displays.
