Ivory Coast and Congo will face off in the second AFCON semi-final on February 7. Here is how bookies rate both sides' chances to win (odds powered by Yesplay):
Ivory Coast – 2.12
Draw – 2.84
Congo – 4.1
Ivory Coast
At this AFCON, Ivory Coast weren't quite convincing up until the quarter-finals. But the game against Mali was as exciting as could be.
Having conceded in the middle of the second half, Ivory Coast managed to equalise in added time. And then, in the 122th minute when both teams were already thinking about the penalty shootout, Oumar Diakite scored arguably the most important goal in his career and took his team to the semis.
Emotions were so much over the top that the Elephants' striker forgot he already had been booked and celebrated taking his shirt off. The second yellow naturally followed and Ivory Coast will now have to deal without Diakite.
Congo
Congo's journey to the semi-final was a seemingly boring one. Four draws in a row were finally followed by the 3-1 win against Guinea where Congo were the first to concede.
Exciting or not, Congo are in great shape. But now they are facing an opponent who will be unfazed by it.
Ivory Coast vs Congo: Facts to Know
Ivory Coast will be the 5th team in AFCON history to feature 10 or more times in the cup semi-finals.
In three previous AFCONs where the host team managed to get to the semis, they were eliminated without even scoring a single goal.
Ivory Coast vs Congo: Prediction and Betting Tip
Despite beating Senegal and Mali, Ivory Coast will not give way to emotions. Instead, they are going to play risk-free, always remembering what is at stake.
Congo are exprerts when it comes to draws as well. They will also play a cautious game, patiently waiting for their chance.
Our betting tip: Draw at FT (Yesplay odds – 2.84)
