Ivory Coast have booked their place in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in three years courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Congo DR this evening.

The Elephants, who fell short at the last hurdle in a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Zambia in their last appearance at that stage, were able to build on a narrow first-half lead to set up a meeting with either Ghana or hosts Equatorial Guinea.

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Star midfielder Yaya Toure made the breakthrough with 20 minutes of the contest played, latching on to a loose ball on the edge of the box which sat up nicely for him, before taking range with an effort into the back of the net.

That lead lasted all of three minutes, though, with Dieumerci Mbokani coolly dispatching from the spot after his side were awarded a penalty kick.

Gervinho then added a vital second goal before the break for Ivory Coast, being picked out in acres of space inside the area before curling the ball into the far corner.

Toure very nearly doubled his personal tally with a low drive which zipped beyond the post 10 minutes into the second half, although the miss mattered little as Wilfried Kanon did find a way through to make certain of Ivory Coast's passage into the final.

Robert Kidiaba, famed for his unorthodox celebration at this tournament, could only parry Serge Aurier's bullet header into the path of Kanon, and the defender did the rest by firing home.

Congo, who last reached the final two of Africa's showpiece event back in 1974, came close to adding a consolation late on through Jeremy Bokila's attempt which sailed narrowly wide, signalling the end of their hopes of lifting the famous trophy.

Written by
Daniel Lewis