AFCON semi-final: Bony and Ivory Coast can crush DR Congo’s hopes

Africa Cup of Nations favourites Ivory Coast (evens with Coral) have finally found their feet this tournament, getting consecutive wins against fellow continental mammoths Cameroon and Algeria.

It was the Elephants who prevailed, 1-0 and 3-1 respectively, after a slow start and they are now bidding for their second AFCON title, and first since 1992.

Ivory Coast first have to beat DR Congo (8/1 tournament chances), who drew all three of their group games, and saw off neighbours Congo in the quarters 4-2.

A share of the spoils in 90 minutes is priced at 9/4, while you can take more enticing odds of 13/2 for the scoreline to be 1-1 (the duo have recorded that result twice each this AFCON) once more.

But it is the Ivory Coast who are the odds-on 4/6 match favourites to win in normal time, while they are 1/3 to qualify for the final, for the third time in the last six tournaments.

The Elephants have a whole host of stars to help them through, including the likes of Roma duo Gervinho and Seydou Doumbia, who have a goal apiece at these finals. They are respective 6/5 and 5/4 chances to net again anytime.

While Yaya Toure and his new Manchester City teammate Wilfried Bony can also be called upon. The former set up the latter from a free kick against Algeria, for the striker’s second of the game, and he is odds-on at 10/11 in the anytime market, and 4/1 for two more more again.

Toure, meanwhile, is 6/4 to get a goal and former Leeds United attacker Max Gradel, who has two strikes to his name this AFCON, is a more tempting 15/8 chance.

Bony is also the subject of a Coral matchday special, with odds of 5/2 for him to net anytime and Ivory Coast win in 90 minutes (max stake of £20).

These two nations last met in the qualifiers for this tournament, with DR Congo claiming a thrilling 4-3 away win, though. The Leopards are, therefore, tempting 11/2 shouts for victory in normal time and 9/4 to qualify for their first final since 1974, which they triumphed in.

DR Congo will be hoping the likes of Jeremy Bokila (7/2 to net anytime) and Dieumerci Mbokani (11/4), who also have two goals apiece to their name this tournament, can help them through.

Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie, meanwhile, has also scored in these finals, and is 5/1 in the anytime market.