( CNN ) Ivory Coast are one step away from ending 23 years of painful African Cup of Nations memories after sweeping aside Democratic Republic of Congo in the semifinals . The Elephants have twice lost the final on penalties , in 2006 and 2012 , but could be on course for its first title since 1992 after a 3-1 success in Bata , Equatorial Guinea . Goals from two of its star players -- Yaya Toure and Gervinho -- were added to by Wilfried Kanon to seal a place in Sunday 's showpiece . It signaled the end of DR Congo 's fairytale run after it scored four goals in the final half an hour to defeat neighbors Congo in their last eight clash . Toure de Force . After a modest opening it was Ivory Coast talisman Yaya Toure who made the first decisive impact on the game , as he so often does for his club -- English Premier League champions Manchester City . The 31-year-old pounced on a loose ball after a run from teammate Wilfried Bony -- signed by City in January -- to lash a fierce shot into the roof of the net . It was his 19th goal for Ivory Coast and must surely rank of one of his finest . But having got themselves in front , Ivory Coast switched off moments later to allow DR Congo back into the match . A looping cross from the right was handled by Eric Bailly , allowing Dieumerci Mbokani to register his third goal of the tournament from the penalty spot . The striker , who plays for Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine , should have put his side ahead 10 minutes later but failed to make proper contact with a cross that fell to him at the back post . It was to prove a costly miss . Ivory Coast immediately gained the upper hand and Gervinho saw his header diverted onto the crossbar by a brilliant Gabriel Zakuani clearance . But the AS Roma midfielder was n't to be denied for long as an error in midfield saw Bony play him into the area , Gervinho slotting neatly into the far corner of the net . DR Congo came out revitalized after the break and Yannick Bolasie , who plys his trade with Crystal Palace in England 's top flight , forced a fine save from Sylvain Gbohouo after a mazy run . But it proved to be only a brief flurry as Ivory Coast reasserted its control on the match . Gervinho and Toure both went close before defender Wilfried Kanon scored the vital third , knocking home from close range after Serge Aurier 's header had been saved by goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba . Kidiaba made another save from Gervinho as Congo 's desperate attempts to get back into the game left counter attacking gaps for Ivory Coast . Its players spilled onto the field to celebrate at the end of the match and they can now look forward to a clash in the final with either Ghana or tournament hosts Equatorial Guinea , who play Thursday .
Ivory Coast cruises into the African Cup of Nations final after victory over DR Congo . Goals from Yaya Toure , Gervinho and Wilfried Kanon seals a 3-1 success in Bata . Ivory Coast will face either Ghana or hosts Equatorial Guinea in Sunday 's final .