adminBATA. — Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard said his team took many things for granted while coasting to the final of the African Cup of Nations by defeating DRC 3-1 in Bata on Wednesday.
The Elephants qualified for the Cup of Nations decider on Sunday after skipper Yaya Toure put them ahead courtesy of a 20th-minute belter only for DRC to draw level almost immediately from the penalty spot through Dieumerci Mbokani.
Gervinho restored the Ivorians’ lead four minutes from half-time, and Wilfried Kanon wrapped up the victory in the 68th minute.
“I did not like this game. We played too easy and did not respect an opponent who fought back to beat Congo Brazzaville in the quarter-finals,” said Renard.
“We did not show enough determination — probably the small crowd did not give us the right atmosphere to do so.
“DRC are always a very dangerous team. They were very fast on the counter-attack with Mbokani and (Yannick) Bolasie. But the most important thing is we are now in the final and we hope to take the Cup back to Abidjan.” — AFP.
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