The 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is reaching its climax, as Nigeria and Ivory Coast prepare to face each other in the final on Sunday, February 11. The two teams have overcome tough opponents and thrilling matches to reach this stage, and they will be eager to lift the trophy in Abidjan.
Nigeria, the three-time champions, has shown resilience and determination throughout the tournament, especially in the knockout rounds. They beat Angola 1-0 in the quarter-finals, thanks to a late goal by Victor Osimhen. In the semi-finals, they faced South Africa, who had eliminated Morocco and Cape Verde on penalties. The match was a classic, as Nigeria took the lead through William Troost-Ekong, only to concede a last-minute equalizer by Reboho Mokoena. The game went to extra time, where South Africa were reduced to 10 men after Grant Kekana’s red card. The penalty shootout was tense, but Nigeria prevailed 4-2, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saving two spot-kicks and Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the decisive one.
Ivory Coast, the hosts and two-time winners, have enjoyed the support of their home fans and the guidance of caretaker coach Emerse Fae. They topped their group with wins over Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria, and a draw with Equatorial Guinea. In the quarter-finals, they faced Mali, who had impressed with their attacking flair and young talent. The match was tight, and it took a goal in extra time by ex-West Ham striker Sebastien Haller to send Ivory Coast through. In the semi-finals, they met DR Congo, who had stunned Egypt and Guinea in the previous rounds. Ivory Coast dominated the game but struggled to find the breakthrough. It finally came in the 66th minute, when Haller linked up with former Leeds winger Max Gradel to score his fourth goal of the tournament.
The final promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams have quality players, experienced coaches, and passionate fans. Nigeria has the edge in terms of head-to-head record, having won 12 and lost six of their 21 meetings with Ivory Coast. They also beat them 1-0 in the group stage of this tournament, thanks to a goal by Samuel Chukwueze. However, Ivory Coast has the advantage of playing at home, in front of a capacity crowd at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium. They also have the motivation of winning the title for the first time since 2015, when they beat Ghana on penalties in Equatorial Guinea.
The key players to watch out for are Nigeria’s Osimhen, who has scored five goals and provided two assists, and Ivory Coast’s Haller, who has scored four goals and created one. Both strikers are in top form, and they will be looking to add to their tally and claim the Golden Boot Award. Other players who can make a difference are Nigeria’s Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ivory Coast’s Gradel, Franck Kessie, and Eric Bailly.
The match will kick off at 8pm GMT, and it will be broadcast live on various TV channels and streaming platforms. You can also follow the live updates and analysis on Eurosport, Paddy Power News, or ESPN. Who will emerge victorious and become the king of Africa? Let us know your predictions and opinions in the comments section below.
