Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.
The 34th edition of the AFCON final appears to be the biggest football event on the continent.
Both sides have had an interesting campaign into the final of the tournament and it is predicted to be an intense encounter be both teams seek to add to their AFCON titles in their trophy archive.
When both sides met in the group stage, Nigeria thrashed host country 1-0 thanks to captain William Troost-Ekong goal from the penalty spot.
Meanwhile, they went on to secure a second-placed finish while Cote D’Ivoire made it out as one of the four best-third placed teams.
Nigeria have faced stronger sides coming into the final, and look a better team on paper to clinch the AFCON trophy, but Cote D’Ivoire themselves are not a team to be underestimated especially with their renewed energy and optimism after finding themselves in the second round by a stroke of luck and now driven by the ambition to make it count in front of millions of their home fans.
It will be a revenge mission for the Elephants that comes with a better prize, the AFCON trophy, while for Nigeria, nothing will be more epic than winning the AFCON by defeating the hosts and neighbours Cote D’Ivoire right on their own soil.
Nigeria vs Cote D’Ivoire – Team News
After initially being unable to travel with the team due to stomach problems, Victor Osimhen was declared fit to lead Nigeria against South Africa.
Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, and Ola Aina were all one booking away from missing the final match, but none of them received a caution against South Africa.
Cote D’Ivoire, on the other hand, have Simon Adingra of Brighton and Haller both back in shape and playing well.
In the interim, Oumar Diakite, Odilon Kossounou, and Serge Aurier will return from suspension for the Elephants in the final game.
Fae will have to make a crucial choice in the final third, where Haller, the team’s lucky charm, will face competition from former Arsenal attacker Nicolas Pepe and Max Gradel.
Head to head: Nigeria vs Cote D’Ivoire
Nigeria had previously lost four of their previous six meetings against Ivory Coast.
Nigeria wins: 9
Draws: 10
Cote D’ivoire wins: 9
Date, kick-off time and venue
Nigeria will face the host at 9pm Nigerian time kick-off on Sunday February 11 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
