DR Congo’s hopes of winning the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON were dashed as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in the semi-final, with Sebastien Haller scoring the decisive goal.
The loss means DR Congo will miss out on the chance to win a third continental crown, leaving manager Sebastien Desabre and his players with a sense of disappointment despite their spirited display.
Desabre lamented the missed opportunities, particularly in the first half, as crucial to their defeat. He pointed to a disallowed goal from Cedric Bakambu and a missed chance from Yoane Wissa as moments that could have changed the course of the game.
Despite the disappointment, Desabre praised the performance and effort of his team and acknowledged the quality of the opposition they faced in Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants.
Attention has now turned to the third-place match against South Africa on Saturday, with Desabre emphasizing the need for his team to quickly regroup and secure a positive result.
The semi-final appearance marks an impressive progression for DR Congo under Desabre’s leadership, with the manager having built a youthful and dynamic team that has the potential to leave AFCON 2023 with their heads held high.
