The Super Eagles of Nigeria will cross swords with the Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire in a much-anticipated 2023 AFCON final showdown at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.
It is Nigeria's 8th AFCON final while the Ivoriens will be playing in their 5th AFCON final. Ivory Coast have won 50% of their AFCON finals, while Nigeria have won just 42.3 of the finals they have played in.
The cracker will be a rematch of the Group A clash which the Super Eagles scraped pass the hosts with a 1-0 victory. The Elephants will be hoping to revenge the Group stage defeat by edging out the Super Eagles to clinch their 3rd AFCON trophy.
Ivory Coast fairytale and inspiring AFCON comeback from the brink of group stage exit to the final of the tournament has been one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.
It would be an incredible AFCON storyline, sensationally fitting the pages of Hollywood scripts should Ivory Coast emerge champions of the continental football showpiece after a near-deadlock
Welcome to the 2023 AFCON final. A rollercoaster 28 days in Ivory Coast featuring the best teams in Africa is finally coming to a climax with Nigeria taking on the tournament hosts in the final. So far, the continental showpiece has delivered with its arrays of five-star performances, incredible comebacks, and thrilling goals.
The footballing showpiece climaxes tonight with a cracker final pitting the three-time champions Nigeria against two-time champions Ivory Coast.
2' It is a stellar start for the Ivoriens. They have won a corner-kick after a pressure in Nigeria's half but the outswinger has been cleared.
14' Ivory Coast are still on the ascendancy. They have won five set-pieces in the first 12 minutes of the game. The Super Eagles have dropped deep for low blocks as the Elephants continue to mount pressure.
17' Nigeria made a first charge in the Ivory Coast half but Serge Aurier is equal to the task coming against Ademola Lookman on the left. It is throwing for Ivory Coast.
21' Nigeria win their first set-piece after Ademola Lookman was brought down in Ivory Coast. The set piece is taken but the offside flag is up.
24' Victor Osimhen is furious after a rough aerial challenge by Ivory Coast player. It is a brief difficult moment for Nigeria. Nigeria head coach Peseiro is brandished a yellow card for confronting a match official.
30' It is the first cooling break in the match. Ivory Coast have been the better side so far. The two managers will have a chance for technical inputs and advice to the players. The goal deadlock is yet to be broken.
33' Ivory Coast on a dangerous counter. It is their first big chance of the game but Nigeria goalkeeper Nwabali pointed it out. The ball is cleared for a corner kick.
36' It's a goal! Nigeria Super Eagles are in front against the run of play. William-Troost has scored a brilliant header to give the Super Eagles the lead.
44' There is a delay. Victor Osimhen is down after a challenge close to the touchline but he is back and action has resumed.
45' We are into the four minutes of added time in the first half. Ivory Coast are still battling to find a leveler.
45+4' Fofana has attempted an effort on goal from outside the box but Nwabali is equal to the task. It is the last touch of the first 45 as the referee has blown the half-time whistle. Nigeria leading at the break 1-0.
We are into the last 45 of the game. Ivory Coast will hope to find an equaliser and possible pull a comeback but they have to go break down the solid green wall of the Super Eagles.
49' Ivory Coast have missed an open net. A scramble in Nigeria's defense after a cross from the left have seen the ball left on a platter for Ivory Coast player. He fires goal but it is blocked. Nwabali picks it up.
51' Nigeria goalkeeper Nwabali and Ivory Coast captain Serge Aurier have been booked by the referee for dissent and confrontation.
61' Goal' Ivory Coast have equalized. Franck Kessie heads home the equaliser from a corner-kick. It is 1-1.
74' It is the second cooling break. After Ivory Coast's equaliser, Ivory Coast seemed to have slacked on their tempo as Nigeria began to commit more bodies forward. It is still 1-1.
77' Substitution for Nigeria. Kelechi Iheanacho and Alhassan Yusuf are on for Iwobi and Ademola Lookman.
80' Goal! Sebastian Haller has gave Ivory Coast the lead! The Borussia Dortmund forward poked home Ivory Coast's second from a cross with his back foot. It is 2-1.
84' The Super Eagles are making frantic efforts to find the equaliser with six minutes left to play.
It's full time at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe in Abidjan. Ivory Coast are the Champions of Africa!! It is a historic and dramatic comeback for Ivoriens. From sneaking into the knockout in third-place to winning the tournament.
It is Nigeria's 8th AFCON final while the Ivoriens will be playing in their 5th AFCON final. Ivory Coast have won 50% of their AFCON finals, while Nigeria have won just 42.3 of the finals they have played in.
The cracker will be a rematch of the Group A clash which the Super Eagles scraped pass the hosts with a 1-0 victory. The Elephants will be hoping to revenge the Group stage defeat by edging out the Super Eagles to clinch their 3rd AFCON trophy.
Ivory Coast fairytale and inspiring AFCON comeback from the brink of group stage exit to the final of the tournament has been one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.
It would be an incredible AFCON storyline, sensationally fitting the pages of Hollywood scripts should Ivory Coast emerge champions of the continental football showpiece after a near-deadlock
Welcome to the 2023 AFCON final. A rollercoaster 28 days in Ivory Coast featuring the best teams in Africa is finally coming to a climax with Nigeria taking on the tournament hosts in the final. So far, the continental showpiece has delivered with its arrays of five-star performances, incredible comebacks, and thrilling goals.
The footballing showpiece climaxes tonight with a cracker final pitting the three-time champions Nigeria against two-time champions Ivory Coast.
2' It is a stellar start for the Ivoriens. They have won a corner-kick after a pressure in Nigeria's half but the outswinger has been cleared.
14' Ivory Coast are still on the ascendancy. They have won five set-pieces in the first 12 minutes of the game. The Super Eagles have dropped deep for low blocks as the Elephants continue to mount pressure.
17' Nigeria made a first charge in the Ivory Coast half but Serge Aurier is equal to the task coming against Ademola Lookman on the left. It is throwing for Ivory Coast.
21' Nigeria win their first set-piece after Ademola Lookman was brought down in Ivory Coast. The set piece is taken but the offside flag is up.
24' Victor Osimhen is furious after a rough aerial challenge by Ivory Coast player. It is a brief difficult moment for Nigeria. Nigeria head coach Peseiro is brandished a yellow card for confronting a match official.
30' It is the first cooling break in the match. Ivory Coast have been the better side so far. The two managers will have a chance for technical inputs and advice to the players. The goal deadlock is yet to be broken.
33' Ivory Coast on a dangerous counter. It is their first big chance of the game but Nigeria goalkeeper Nwabali pointed it out. The ball is cleared for a corner kick.
36' It's a goal! Nigeria Super Eagles are in front against the run of play. William-Troost has scored a brilliant header to give the Super Eagles the lead.
44' There is a delay. Victor Osimhen is down after a challenge close to the touchline but he is back and action has resumed.
45' We are into the four minutes of added time in the first half. Ivory Coast are still battling to find a leveler.
45+4' Fofana has attempted an effort on goal from outside the box but Nwabali is equal to the task. It is the last touch of the first 45 as the referee has blown the half-time whistle. Nigeria leading at the break 1-0.
We are into the last 45 of the game. Ivory Coast will hope to find an equaliser and possible pull a comeback but they have to go break down the solid green wall of the Super Eagles.
49' Ivory Coast have missed an open net. A scramble in Nigeria's defense after a cross from the left have seen the ball left on a platter for Ivory Coast player. He fires goal but it is blocked. Nwabali picks it up.
51' Nigeria goalkeeper Nwabali and Ivory Coast captain Serge Aurier have been booked by the referee for dissent and confrontation.
61' Goal' Ivory Coast have equalized. Franck Kessie heads home the equaliser from a corner-kick. It is 1-1.
74' It is the second cooling break. After Ivory Coast's equaliser, Ivory Coast seemed to have slacked on their tempo as Nigeria began to commit more bodies forward. It is still 1-1.
77' Substitution for Nigeria. Kelechi Iheanacho and Alhassan Yusuf are on for Iwobi and Ademola Lookman.
80' Goal! Sebastian Haller has gave Ivory Coast the lead! The Borussia Dortmund forward poked home Ivory Coast's second from a cross with his back foot. It is 2-1.
84' The Super Eagles are making frantic efforts to find the equaliser with six minutes left to play.
It's full time at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe in Abidjan. Ivory Coast are the Champions of Africa!! It is a historic and dramatic comeback for Ivoriens. From sneaking into the knockout in third-place to winning the tournament.
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