The 2023 African Cup of Nations Final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at the Ouattara Stadium is a rematch of the Group A encounter.
Different changes have been imposed on the elephants of Ivory Coast since they were defeated by the Super Eagles on January 18, 2024.
The host went past different obstacles on the road to becoming finalists.
Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast Match Preview
The Super Eagles of Nigeria remain the highest-ranked national team in the African Cup of Nations after the early group stage exits of Algeria and Tunisia.
In addition, Egypt, Morocco, and the defending champions of the tournament, Senegal, suffered knockout stage exits.
The Super Eagles had been one of the most entertaining teams in the tournament with their ability to create chances.
The team created chances against Equatorial Guinea without winning the match.
In addition, their defensive ability and excellent approach against other African teams brought them close to winning their fourth African Cup of Nations title.
Much has been said about Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who brings a lot of confidence to a previously shaky back line.
The Super Eagles ran four games without conceding a goal, which was brought to an end in the semi-finals by a South African attacker, Tobeho Mokoena, with a 90-minute penalty.
Another fascinating fact about the Super Eagles is that the team had gone far, with their top striker Victor Osimhen scoring just a goal in the tournament against Equatorial Guinea.
The current best player in Africa, Osimhen, had countless goals disallowed for different reasons raging from offside and a foul in the buildup.
Although his contribution to the team's success had been top-notch, providing an assist to Ademola Lookman against Cameroon.
After Ivory Coast's first experience with the big Napoli striker, they are expected to be well prepared against him.
After Ivory Coast's shocking defeat at the hands of Equatorial Guinea, many Ivory Coast fans thought that was the end of their AFCON dreams. However, they qualified for the Round of 16 as one of the best third place teams.
Since then, the Ivorians have improved significantly and have been supported intensively by their fans.
Ivory Coast interim manager Emerson Fae took the Elephants to the final of the AFCON, passing the obstacles against 2021 defending champions Senegal and Mali in the quarterfinals despite playing with 10 men.
An impressive aspect of the Ivorian is the fact that they respond to setbacks after they fell behind against Senegal in the Round of 16 and Mali in the quarterfinals.
The Ivorians proceeded into the final of the tournament after defeating DR Congo 1-0 on February 7, 2024, courtesy of a second-half goal by Sebastian Haller.
Having lost their two previous encounters with the West African country, the Elephants of Ivory Coast will be looking forward to ending the dream of the Super Eagles.
Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast Team News
Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro is likely to use the same attacking lineup (Simon Moses, Victor Osimhen, and Ademola Lookman).
Bright Osayi Samuel may retain his position at the right back, and Ola Aina may play at the left back.
The Ivory Coast manager Emerson Fae is expected to stick with the starting eleven that knocked out DR Congo in the semi-final stage.
Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast Probable Starting Line Up
Nigeria's probable starting lineup:
Nwabali; Ajayi; Troost-Ekong; Bassey; Osayi-Samuel; Onyeka; Iwobi; Aina; Simon; Lookman; Osimhen
Ivory Coast's probable starting lineup:
Fofana; Aurier, Boly, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Seri, Fofana; Pepe, Haller, Adingra
Where to watch Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast
The 2023 African Cup of Nations final will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and BBC 2.
In addition, for African viewers, the match will be shown on Star Times Sport Premium at 9:00 pm on February 11,2024.
It will be shown on Supersports via DSTV.
Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast Prediction
The Super Eagles are expected to win the 2023 African Cup of Nations title, but with the return of Ivory Coast, big names like Aurier, it will difficult for the Super Eagles to score a lot of goals.
Prediction: Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Different changes have been imposed on the elephants of Ivory Coast since they were defeated by the Super Eagles on January 18, 2024.
The host went past different obstacles on the road to becoming finalists.
Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast Match Preview
The Super Eagles of Nigeria remain the highest-ranked national team in the African Cup of Nations after the early group stage exits of Algeria and Tunisia.
In addition, Egypt, Morocco, and the defending champions of the tournament, Senegal, suffered knockout stage exits.
The Super Eagles had been one of the most entertaining teams in the tournament with their ability to create chances.
The team created chances against Equatorial Guinea without winning the match.
In addition, their defensive ability and excellent approach against other African teams brought them close to winning their fourth African Cup of Nations title.
Much has been said about Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who brings a lot of confidence to a previously shaky back line.
The Super Eagles ran four games without conceding a goal, which was brought to an end in the semi-finals by a South African attacker, Tobeho Mokoena, with a 90-minute penalty.
Another fascinating fact about the Super Eagles is that the team had gone far, with their top striker Victor Osimhen scoring just a goal in the tournament against Equatorial Guinea.
The current best player in Africa, Osimhen, had countless goals disallowed for different reasons raging from offside and a foul in the buildup.
Although his contribution to the team's success had been top-notch, providing an assist to Ademola Lookman against Cameroon.
After Ivory Coast's first experience with the big Napoli striker, they are expected to be well prepared against him.
After Ivory Coast's shocking defeat at the hands of Equatorial Guinea, many Ivory Coast fans thought that was the end of their AFCON dreams. However, they qualified for the Round of 16 as one of the best third place teams.
Since then, the Ivorians have improved significantly and have been supported intensively by their fans.
Ivory Coast interim manager Emerson Fae took the Elephants to the final of the AFCON, passing the obstacles against 2021 defending champions Senegal and Mali in the quarterfinals despite playing with 10 men.
An impressive aspect of the Ivorian is the fact that they respond to setbacks after they fell behind against Senegal in the Round of 16 and Mali in the quarterfinals.
The Ivorians proceeded into the final of the tournament after defeating DR Congo 1-0 on February 7, 2024, courtesy of a second-half goal by Sebastian Haller.
Having lost their two previous encounters with the West African country, the Elephants of Ivory Coast will be looking forward to ending the dream of the Super Eagles.
Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast Team News
Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro is likely to use the same attacking lineup (Simon Moses, Victor Osimhen, and Ademola Lookman).
Bright Osayi Samuel may retain his position at the right back, and Ola Aina may play at the left back.
The Ivory Coast manager Emerson Fae is expected to stick with the starting eleven that knocked out DR Congo in the semi-final stage.
Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast Probable Starting Line Up
Nigeria's probable starting lineup:
Nwabali; Ajayi; Troost-Ekong; Bassey; Osayi-Samuel; Onyeka; Iwobi; Aina; Simon; Lookman; Osimhen
Ivory Coast's probable starting lineup:
Fofana; Aurier, Boly, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Seri, Fofana; Pepe, Haller, Adingra
Where to watch Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast
The 2023 African Cup of Nations final will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and BBC 2.
In addition, for African viewers, the match will be shown on Star Times Sport Premium at 9:00 pm on February 11,2024.
It will be shown on Supersports via DSTV.
Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast Prediction
The Super Eagles are expected to win the 2023 African Cup of Nations title, but with the return of Ivory Coast, big names like Aurier, it will difficult for the Super Eagles to score a lot of goals.
Prediction: Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast