Ivory Coast beats DR Congo, reaches African Cup of Nations final

BATA, Equatorial Guinea (AP) — Ivory Coast is into the final of the African Cup of Nations as big-name players Yaya Toure and Gervinho scored in a 3-1 win over outsider Congo on Saturday.

Toure hammered a half-volley into the net in the 20th minute for Ivory Coast's early lead in the first semifinal.

Congo won a penalty three minutes later and Dieumerci Mbokani converted for 1-1.

Gervinho scored with a sweet first-time shot a minute after he had a header cleared off the line.

Defender Wilfried Kanon bundled in the third from close range in the 68th to make sure the Ivorians' progressed to their third African Cup final in the last six tournaments.

Ivory Coast lost its last two finals and is desperately seeking a first title since 1992.