Cote D’Ivoire Vs. Nigeria: Heavyweights clash in last dance for AFCON 2023
By Ngome Michael
Côté D’Ivoire’s 2023 AFCON trajectory leaves the football nation 90 minutes away from glory at tournament packed with rollercoaster of emotions for the Elephants, but they have Nigeria stand in their way in an all West African final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium this Sunday, February 11th 2024.
The hosts survived the first round by the skin of their teeth but, now have successfully turned their fortuned around and are in pull position to contest for a fourth trophy.
It happened that Côte D’Ivoire’s lone group stage win over Guinea Bissau two weeks ago proved crucial in seeing them to the last sixteen despite losing coach Jean Louis Gassett from defeats to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. The latter inflected their worst-ever Cup of Nations defeat in that humiliating 4-0 loss.
A lot has changed with the arrival of Emerse Fae’ who delivered an emphatic passage through the knockout stages which intailed playing extra 30minutes against Senegal and Mali before a 1-0 semi-final win over DR Congo.
Nigeria ahead of Sunday’s rematch has increasingly become the tournament’s favorites progressing deep into this competition. The Super Eagles finished runner-up on goal difference behind Equatorial, went on to beat Cameroon 2-0 in last sixteen and edged Angola 1-0 in the quarter-final with Ademola Lookman being architect of both wins.
With a tank of talents reserved coming into the competition, Nigeria and José Peseiro had doubts hovering them but have however revealed different versions of themselves adjusting approaches and by a mile grew confidence with the elimination of Morocco, Algeria Egypt and Senegal.
Nigeria got pushed all the way by South Africa in Wednesday’s semis, conceding for just the second time from Mokoena’s 90th minute penalty that extended to extra time and had the job done on penalties which ended in a 4-2 success.
This will be Nigeria’s first time in the final since beating Burkina Faso in 2013 and currently chase a fouth title while their opponents look to equal them and become the first host to win the tournament since Egypt in 2006.
A Troost Ekong spotkick made the difference at the group stage and these two meet for the second time having done so eight times in previous editions. Nigeria has the historical edge with three victoires while Côte D’Ivoire has two with a draw apiece.
Match numbers seven for either with none hoping to lose, strength management comes into play heading out to this last one, ensuring minutes avaraged throughout does not become a disadvantage.
Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Victor Osimhen and Frank Oyeka have had more game time than any member of the Nigerian squad and followed by Bassey, Ekong Lookman and Simon Moses all anticipated to start this final despite having not much left in the tank.
Terem Moffi, Kelechi Iheanacho debuted against South Africa and Alex Iwobi subed after the hour mark against Bafana Bafana might come in to strengthen the team.
Côté D’Ivoire on the other hand had a host players ready to fit incase any fatigue is witnessed. Oumar Diakité match winer against Mali, Odilon Kossounou, Serge Aurier return from suspension while Haller and Adingra hope to start and Pépé could come on for Max Gradel.
