Following DR Congo's 1-0 defeat to Cote D'Ivoire in the semi-final match on Wednesday, coach Sebastien Desabre attributed his team's loss to the numerous near misses experienced throughout the game.
Despite a spirited display, the Leopards fell short of a late goal from Sebastien Haller, leaving Desabre and his players crestfallen.
Expressing his disappointment, Desabre highlighted the missed opportunities, particularly in the first half, as crucial factors in their defeat. Cedric Bakambu had a goal disallowed, and Yoane Wissa squandered a golden one-on-one chance.
Desabre remarked, “We didn't take advantage of our momentum. We tried to have all the offensive weapons to equalize, by changing the system, making substitutions, but unfortunately, it didn't happen.”
However, Desabre commended the performance and effort of his Congolese team, acknowledging the formidable opposition they faced in Cote d'Ivoire's Elephants.
He admitted, “It must be recognized that there was a great team from Cote d'Ivoire facing us. It didn't come down to much. We're disappointed tonight; we could have achieved a better result.”
Looking ahead, DR Congo will now prepare to face South Africa in the third-place game on Saturday, aiming to end their AFCON campaign on a positive note despite the setback.