DR Congo dreaming of ending 50-year wait for African glory

Sebastien Desabre © Backpagepix

Democratic Republic of Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre is dreaming of glory after his side set up an Africa Cup of Nations semifinal on Wednesday with hosts Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The Congolese came from a goal down to defeat Guinea 3-1 in their quarterfinal clash and are now two games away from a first continental crown in 50 years.

It has Desabre believing and he feels there is more to come from his side, who drew their first four games of the finals.

« This victory comes at the right time as we are gaining momentum in the competition. We won, we drew, but did not lose, » the Frenchman said. « It would be foolish not to believe in the final victory. But it will be difficult.

« When you reach the semifinals, you first want to reach the final. And if you have the chance to reach the final, you want to win it. We will do everything to have no regrets. »

The Congolese had only managed three goals in four games before the clash with Guinea and Desabre knows they can be a greater attacking threat than they have shown so far.

« We have forwards like (Cedric) Bakambu, (Simon) Banza and Fiston Mayele. We know it was a matter of time before we succeeded, » Desabre said.

DR Congo have been to the semifinals twice since they last lifted the trophy in 1974.

They lost 2-1 to South Africa in 1998 and 3-1 to the Ivory Coast in 2015. This will be a chance for some revenge for that latter result, and perhaps the former too if they meet Bafana Bafana in the final.