AFCON23 FINAL

NIGERIA VS IVORY COAST

11/02/2024 – 22:00

The time has come to crown the new kings of Africa.

And we’re indeed set for an amazing final between the hosts, Ivory Coast and one of Africa’s football powerhouse nation’s, Nigeria.

Both countries did not have the simplest of tournaments and rode their luck at times but in the end, they did what was needed and will battle it out at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan. This seems to be an evenly poised final, but Nigeria have already beaten the Ivory Coast once at this tournament, edging them out 1-0 in the group stages, and are slightly favoured to take home the title for the fourth time.

Nigeria needed to overcome the highly spirited South African team in a penalty shootout, while Sebastien Haller’s strike was enough to hand the hosts a narrow win over the DR Congo. The stage is set for the finale. Nigeria’s African player of the year and European star Victor Osimhen will be the main threat, but it will take the entire Ivorian team to rally one last time and ensure they harness the power of the twelfth man and produce an historic victory.

Nigeria have been very difficult to break down throughout the whole tournament. They shipped just two goals in six Afcon games. None of the last nine games they played in all competitions produced three or more goals. Ivory Coast also produced a strong defensive showing four days ago in the semifinal. They limited Congo DR to just two shots on target in the 90 minutes of play. Only one of Ivory Coast’s six matches so far in the tournament provide three or more goals. Knowing also about the low-scoring tradition in recent H2H affairs between these rivals. It will be an epic clash to close an amazing and successful tournament.

Ivory Coast have the momentum on their side after spectacular knockout-stage wins over Senegal, Mali, and Congo DR. However, Nigeria has more quality in their ranks. The Super Eagles have shown better football throughout the tournament. We can find the value in backing Nigeria to win as they will fight until the end, but Ivory Coast could just edge this one and be crowned the new Kings of Africa.