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DRC wary of Ivory Coast

Bata - Ahead of their tough semi-final clash against Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) midfielder Neeskens Kebano says the Congolese side are not making any special preparations for the Ivorian clash.

The Central African giants will battle for a final spot in the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) when they face the Elephants at the Estadio de Bata on Wednesday night.

The 22-year-old industrious midfielder said his team-mates will not get ahead of themselves, taking into consideration the fact that they managed to beat the Elephants in their own backyard during the qualifiers last year, but they will still attempt to cause another upset.

“I don’t think we should make any special preparation for this clash,” Kebano told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday.

“It is true that we fought hard during the qualifiers when we beat them in Abidjan.

“But here it’s a completely different deal and the stage is also different.

“We are now at the African Cup of Nations, not in the qualifiers.

“We know that the matches are really dynamic, so we need to make all the necessary efforts to win this game.”

Heading into the encounter, the DRC defeated their bitter rivals, Congo Brazzaville, 4-2 in the quarter-finals - courtesy of Joel Kimwaki, Jeremy Bokila and a brace from Dieudonne "Brzi" Mbokani Bezua.

The Elephants eliminated the tournament favourites, Algeria, from the competition with a 3-1 triumph thanks to a brace from Wilfred Bony and Gervan Kouassi.

The two sides last clashed in the qualifiers of the 30th edition of the continental showpiece in October, with the Congolese side winning 4-3.

Kick-off is set for 21:00 (SA time). 

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