Soccer News of Thursday, 5 February 2015
Source: Goal.com
Cote d’Ivoire reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 victory over DR Congo on Wednesday night but coach Herve Renard was less than impressed with his side’s performance.
The Elephants opened the scoring in Bata with a fine drive from Yaya Toure but Dieumerci Mbokani levelled matters from the penalty spot midway through the first half, after Eric Bailly had handled in the area.
However, Gervinho put the Ivorians back in front just before the break and Wilfried Kanon sealed their place in the final with his 68th-minute strike.
Renard, though, was far from pleased with what he saw from his players, arguing that they will have to improve dramatically if they are to end their 23-year-wait for an Africa Cup of Nations crown by beating either Ghana or Equatorial Guinea in Bata on Sunday.
“To be honest with you, I didn’t like this game,” the Elephans boss is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. “It was a very poor first half and I don’t think we did all the things we should have done.
“I think sometimes we were too easy. But we are in the final, this is the most important thing.”
Meanwhile, Cote d’Ivoire striker Wilfried Bony admitted that they had not been at their best in Bata.
“It was tough game,” the new Manchester City signing added. “DR Congo were very fast but we were compact.
“This is one step in our life. We need to enjoy this night and be ready for the game on Sunday.
“All we care now is about bringing the cup back home.”