Ivory Coast beat DR Congo in AFCON semi-finals – in pictures

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  Ivory Coast’s fans celebrate after winning their semi-final soccer match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations against Democratic Republic of Congo in Bata, February 4, 2015. Goals from Yaya Toure and Gervinho helped steer Ivory Coast into the African Nations Cup final in a 3-1 win over Democratic Republic of Congo in the Estadio de Bata on Wednesday. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

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  A Congolese soccer fan looks out over the soccer pitch during the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between Congo and Ivory Coast in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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  Ivory Coast fans cheer during their semi-final soccer match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Bata February 4, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

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  Ivory Coast’s Yaya Toure (L) celebrates his goal with teammate Kouassi Gervais during their semi-final soccer match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations against Democratic Republic of Congo in Bata, February 4, 2015. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

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  Ivory Coast’s fans cheer for Yaya Toure during their semi-final soccer match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations against Democratic Republic of Congo in Bata, February 4, 2015. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

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  Democratic Republic of Congo’s Dieumerci Mbokani celebrates scoring against Ivory Coast during their semi-final soccer match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Bata February 4, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

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  Ivory Coast’s squad (L-R) midfielder Yaya Toure, goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo, midfielder Serey Die, defender Serge Aurier, defender Serge Wilfried Kanon, forward Wilfried Bony, defender Eric Bailly, defender Kolo Toure, defender Siaka Tiene, midfielder Max-Alain Gradel and forward Gervinho pose ahead of the 2015 African Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ivory Coast in Bata on February 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO / CARL DE SOUZA

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  Democratic Republic of Congo’s Jean Kasusula (R) challenges Ivory Coast’s Wilfried Bony during their semi-final soccer match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Bata, February 4, 2015. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

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  An Ivorian fan cheers for his team during the 2015 African Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ivory Coast in Bata on February 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI

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  Ivory Coast’s head coach Herve Renard of France reacts during their semi-final soccer match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations against Democratic Republic of Congo in Bata, February 4, 2015. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

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  Police stand guard in front of Ivory Coast’s fans celebrating after the team won their semi-final soccer match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations against Democratic Republic of Congo in Bata, February 4, 2015. Goals from Yaya Toure and Gervinho helped steer Ivory Coast into the African Nations Cup final in a 3-1 win over Democratic Republic of Congo in the Estadio de Bata on Wednesday. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard said his team took many things for granted while coasting to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations by defeating DR Congo 3-1 in Bata Wednesday.

The Elephants qualified for the Cup of Nations decider Sunday after skipper Yaya Toure put them ahead courtesy of a 20th-minute belter only for DR Congo 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.

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