Ivory Coast defeated DR Congo to go to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria, with Sebastien Haller scoring the winner.
The only goal of a tight game in Abidjan came in the 65th minute, when Haller’s effort crashed down into the ground and over Leopards goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
The Borussia Dortmund striker should have opened the scoring shortly before the break with an unguarded header, and he also squandered an opportunity to double the lead by sending a lob narrowly wide.
DR Congo did not appear to have a late equaliser, despite Meschack Elia’s effort going wide of the left upright and Simon Banza firing over in injury time.
Ivory Coast fired Jean-Louis Gasset as manager before making it past the group stage, and they required late goals against Senegal and Mali to advance to the last four.
But interim manager Emerse Fae now has a chance to lead the Elephants to a third continental title, following victories in 1992 and 2015, when they meet three-time winners Nigeria in Abidjan on Sunday (20:00 GMT).
The Super Eagles advanced to the final earlier on Wednesday, defeating South Africa 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw in Bouake.