Afcon 2023 semi-finals LIVE RESULTS: Ivory Coast book final spot after DR Congo win, Nigeria BEAT South Africa on PENS
NIGERIA have confirmed their place in the Afcon 2023 final after a dramatic last-four clash with South Africa.
The Super Eagles went through on penalties and are eyeing their first Nations Cup triumph since 2013.
Later in the night, hosts Ivory Coast beat DR Congo 1-0 to book their meeting with Nigeria in the Afcon final on Sunday.
- SF2 result: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
- SF1 result: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (4-2 pens)
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Ivorians look to make history
We will be back to the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday for the final as Ivory Coast take on Nigeria.
They have the chance to become the first team since Egypt to win the tournament on their home soil.
Nigeria will have something to say about it but after all that has gone on in this AFCON competition for Ivory Coast, they could be forgiven for thinking that it is written in the stars for them to win.
Capitalising on shocking home defeat
Emerse Fae will lead Ivory Coast into the final after taking over from Jean-Louis Gasset as he was sacked after defeat in the group stage.
A 4-0 drubbing by Guinea was enough for the Ivorian FA to make the change as they found the defeat unacceptable.
They made it through to the round of 16 by the skin of their teeth, at that stage, they could never have hoped to be heading to the final.
Host nation take on the favourites
Ivory Coast will play Nigeria in the final now.
It should be an interesting final on Sunday, the crowd will act as twelfth man for The Elephants.
After a dramatic penalty shootout victory earlier today, Nigeria will feel this is their trophy to win now.
FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
What a moment for these Ivory Coast players.
They were so close to going out in the group stages and here they are now, heading to the final.
One thing is for sure, it will be a packed house for the final.
Credit: AFP 
Credit: AFP FT: Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
The referee brings the game to a close.
Ivory Coast are through to the final and ground erupts.
The Elephants become the first host nation to reach the final since 2006.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
90+4. Inonga has had a great game for DR Congo.
Bamba rounds the keeper but is sent wide and tries to find a teammate in the box.
The DR Congo defender heads behind for a corner.
Credit: Getty Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
90+2. DR Congo are resorting to hopeful shots from distance.
The problem is without the accuracy, it just gives the hosts the chance to run the clock down some more.
Ivory Coast make another change which has to wait as Boga has shirt on the wrong way around.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
90. Haller and Gradel come off to run the clock down.
The hosts are so close to booking their place in the final now.
We are going to have five additional minutes.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
88. Ivory Coast just need to see this one out now.
No need to push for another goal, just hold on to what they have.
DR Congo look to cross but it is volleyed clear.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
86. Drogba is getting animated in the stands.
Maybe he will throw his hat in the ring for the manager's job.
That said, if they win the tournament, Fae would be a favourite to be given the job permanently.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
84. It could be an interesting final between the hosts and Nigeria.
They need to see this game out first.
DR Congo are really struggling to create any clear-cut chances.
Credit: AFP Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
82. Bongonda rides his luck to get away from his man.
The ball gets stuck under his feet as he heads towards the box.
Ivory Coast knock the ball downfield to clear.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
80. Adingra has been brilliant for 'The Elephants' today.
He comes off to a huge ovation as Bamba replaces him.
DR Congo are not knocking it long just yet, still trying to play the ball around and create that one chance they need.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
78. DR Congo have to go for this now.
You only regret what you never did.
They need to throw everything they have at Ivory Coast for the remainder of the game.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
76. Ivory Coast have something to defend now.
With less than fifteen minutes to go, they just need to hold on.
Elia shoots from outside the box and it has Fofana scrambling but goes just wide of the post.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
74. DR Congo have got some important late goals in this tournament.
Now they need what may the biggest of these players' careers.
It is carnival mode in the stands as they fans feel they are heading to the final to play Nigeria.
Credit: AFP Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
72. A weak header by the defender, presents it to Haller.
Seeing the keeper off his line, he looks to chip it over him.
The ball drops just wide of the post, what a chance to seal their place in the AFCON final.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
70. Bakambu, Pickel and Wissa come off for DR Congo.
They have nothing to lose and need some fresh ideas.
DR Congo have nothing to lose now and need to throw caution to the wind.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
68. All the pressure is on DR Congo now.
They need to be more attacking to find an equaliser.
Adingra whips a corner in and Haller meets at the near post, flicking it goalwards, it lands on the roof of the net.
Ivory Coast 1-0 DR Congo
66. The roof nearly comes off the stadium as the hosts score.
Gradel plays a deep cross into the back post where Haller is free.
He does not catch it cleanly, hitting the ball into the ground, but it bounces over the keeper and into the top corner.
Goal - Sebastien Haller (Ivory Coast)
Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo
64. Amani was the other player to come on for Ivory Coast.
Despite being goalless so far, this has been a good game.
Both teams will feel they have created good chances to take the lead.
Credit: AFP Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo
62. Seri and Fofana come off for Ivory Coast.
The coach is looking to get some fresh legs out on the field.
Sangare is one of the subs, much fancied to start this game if fit.
Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo
60. Kessie has another shot from distance.
The keeper does well to save but it was too close to him to really have a chance of opening the scoring.
Adingra continues to frustrate the DR Congo defence.
Ivory Coast 0-0 DR Congo
58. Haller is penalised for his challenge trying to win the header.
The striker is becoming more frustrated as he looks to get another chance to redeem himself for that miss earlier.
That, without a shadow of a doubt, was the best socoring opportunity we have seen in this game.
