‘Our players failed to take advantage of scoring opportunities’ DR Congo CoachNigeria sets date with Cote D’ Ivoire after dumping South Africa

Abidjan: DR Congo Coach Sebastien Desabre has attributed his side's defeat to Cote D' Ivoire to the near misses in the course of the game. The Leopards succumbed 1-0 to the tournament hosts in Wednesday's semi-final, with Sebastien Haller scoring the winner. According to Desabre, his players were left crestfallen after exiting despite a spirited display. 'My first impression is disappointment, considering the course of the match,' he lamented. Desabre pointed to multiple chances spurned in the first half as proving pivotal. Cedric Bakambu had a goal harshly disallowed before Yoane Wissa wasted a glorious one-on-one. 'We didn't take advantage of our momentum. We tried to have all the offensive weapons to equalize, by changing the system, making substitutions, but unfortunately, it didn't happen.' Despite the heartbreak, Desabre praised the performance and effort of his Congolese warriors. He acknowledged they faced brilliant opponents in Elephants. 'It must be recognized that there was a great team fro m Cote d'Ivoire facing us. It didn't come down to much. We're disappointed tonight; we could have achieved a better result,' Desabre admitted. DR Congo would now face South Africa on Saturday in the third-place game. Source: Ghana News Agency Abidjan: Nigeria proved to be dominant side in matches against South Africa, as they beat them on penalties to advance to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) After a one all game in regulation time, and an additional 30 minutes, the match was pushed to shootouts which saw Nigeria win 4-2. Stanley Nwabali of Nigeria was the hero of the day as he made two saves in the shoot outs to see his side make progress. His two saves booked the Super Eagles' passage to Sunday's final, whilst Bafana Bafana keeper Ronwen Williams - who saved four penalties last round - was inconsolable as his AFCON dream died. Nigeria would face either Cote d'Ivoire DR Congo on Sunday, hoping to capture their fourth African crown. Nigeria made the early running in a cagey first half. The lively Iwobi brought the best from Williams, whose reflex save kept things goalless. South Africa responded in kind, Evidence Makgopa curling just wide before Percy Tau was thwarted when clean through. The tension ratcheted after the break as both keepers took center stage. Nwabali acrobatically denied Makgopa once more, while at the other end Williams stood firm to repel Osimhen. That set the scene for high drama in the closing stages. Nigeria earned a 67th minute penalty when Osimhen was flattened, which Troost-Ekong converted emphatically. South Africa were awarded a lifeline penalty instead, dispatched by Mokoena to end the game one all forcing it into extra time and penalty. Source: Ghana News Agency