Ivory Coast v DR Congo – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Ivory Coast faces Congo DR in the African Cup of Nations semi-finals on Wednesday. The Elephants have drawn their last two matches in 90 minutes and progressed on penalties and then in extra time. Congo DR have won just twice in 12 matches going back to September.

Ivory Coast Form

The Elephants began this tournament as hosts in strong shape. They had six points from two World Cup 2026 qualifiers after beating Seychelles 9-0 and then beating the Gambia 2-0. Optimism was high after beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 in their first AFCON match.

A 1-0 loss to Nigeria saw a toothless attacking performance. They were then humbled 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea (despite 22 shots at goal) and sacked coach Jean-Louis Gasset. Caretaker coach Emerse Fae oversaw a 1-1 draw vs Senegal and a subsequent victory on penalties. Their last match saw goals scored in the 90th and 120th minutes to beat Mali 2-1 in a below-par performance.

Ivory Coast Team News

Caretaker coach Emerse Fae had no trouble leaving out big name’s vs Mali. Serge Aurier started but was hooked at half-time. Willy Boly was dropped but could return because Odilon Kossounou was suspended after a red card.

Sebastien Haller is back from an ankle injury and could start whilst Simon Adingra scored against Mali from the bench and will be recalled. Young Reims striker Oumar Diakite scored the key goal in the quarter-final but is suspended for this one after being sent off.

Ivory Coast Motivation

As the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire will have vocal support. They will see Congo DR as beatable and will attack.

The Elephants will hope to avoid extra time if possible having twice played 120 minutes in this tournament already.

DR Congo Form

Congo DR didn’t come into the AFCON in great form with just one win in seven fixtures. That victory was a 2-0 home win over Mauritania in the World Cup qualifier. They progressed to the knockout stages after three draws in the Group stage. They drew 1-1 vs Zambia with 25 shots and 2.54 xG produced.

A 1-1 draw against Morocco saw them hold their own (1.87 xG) before a cagey 0-0 draw vs Tanzania. In the round of 16, they beat Egypt on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time. Their first win of the AFCON came in the quarter-final, beating Guinea 3-1. They only had 37% possession but created 1.88 Expected Goals.

DR Congo Team News

Coach Sebastien Desabre has a pretty settled XI. He has named 10 of the same XI in the last two fixtures. At the back, Henoc Inonga Baka replaced Dylan Batubinsika against Guinea and is expected to keep his place alongside Chancel Mbemba.

Left winger Yoane Wissa scored against Zambia and Guinea and is the team’s key man. Real Betis striker Cedric Bakambu will start up front in preference to Braga forward Simon Banza.

DR Congo Motivation

The Leopards have pace and dribbling threats but they’re not an open team. They will look to be solid and use transition moments.

They’ve drawn four of five matches in this tournament and won’t be phased by going to extra time once again.

Key Stats

Congo DR have won 2 of their last 12 matches

Congo DR have drawn 4 of their 5 matches in this AFCON

Ivory Coast have conceded in their last 4 matches

Ivory Coast are winless in 4 matches in regulation time

Verdict

A draw in 90 minutes could be the way to go in this clash. Congo DR are hard to beat, and the Elephants are not playing well at all.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score at 2.15

Value Bet: Draw (90 minutes) at 2.70

James O'Connor

James 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