Wilfried Bony turned on the style as the Ivory Coast beat tournament favourites Algeria 3-1 to reach the last four of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The former Swansea forward showed the kind of imperious form which persuaded English champions Manchester City to pay £25million to the Welsh side in the January transfer window, as he produced two excellent headers – one in each half – to hand the Ivory Coast a semi-final date with DR Congo.
Bony struck from close range to give the Elephants a 26th-minute lead and, after Hilal Soudani had equalised soon after the interval, the brawny frontman rose majestically to meet Yaya Toure’s free-kick after 68 minutes.
And Gervinho, restored after a two-match ban for his red card against Guinea, punished Algeria’s all-out attack in the closing stages with a third Ivory Coast goal deep into stoppage time.
That was tough on Algeria who had contributed so much to an entertaining contest in Malabo and almost levelled in the final 10 minutes through Islam Slimani and Faouzi Ghoulam, with the latter’s free-kick forcing a fine save from Sylvain Gbohouo.
The Elephants will now lock horns with DR Congo in the 1st semi-final on Wednesday while Ghana will play hosts Equatorial Guinea in the other semi-final on Thursday.
