Introduction
Nigeria, three times AFCON winners and Ivory Coast, two times champion, will clash in Abidjan for the 34th AFCON finale. Alassane Ouattara Stadium will host two of Africa’s football giants on Sunday night to determine who gets their hands on the title.
Both teams are from group A in the tournament and have faced once earlier in the competition. Nigeria clinched a 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast in that clash, boosting their confidence in facing them again in the final. This epic encounter promises to be a battle of steel and skill, with both vying for the continental glory.
About the game
The Super Eagles have lifted the coveted trophy three times previously (1980, 1994 and 2013) and will give another go at it on Sunday. Remarkably, Composed Nigeria arrives in the final having maintained an unblemished record after six matches. They dropped points only once with their group opener draw with Equatorial Guinea. Nigeria has shown stellar composure and tactical discipline throughout their AFCON campaign, with four clean sheets in their six games. Manager Jose Peseiro has forged a robust unit with the right blend of youth and experience. The team is led by captain William Troost-Ekong in defense and spearheaded in attack by Euro-based stars Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon. Their big match temperament could prove the difference.
Nigeria reached the final round of this year’s AFCON with their hard-fought victory over South Africa. Regular period of that semi finals ended with a 1-1 draw, with the same result in the extra time, before Nigeria secured progression in the penalty shootout. Stanley Nwabali heroics between the sticks gave Nigeria the much needed victory after saving two penalties.
Standing opposite them will be the Eléphants of Ivory Coast, fueled by the passionate home crowd and their own hunger for continental glory. This will be the 5th appearance of Ivory Coast in the AFCON final, claiming the title in 1992 and 2015. After suffering group stage losses against Nigeria and group winners Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast has been remarkable in their path to the final. They demonstrated true resilience to battle past reigning champion Senegal, Mali and recently DR Congo. The Ivorian resilience shone through, especially in their semifinal victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sebastian Haller’s opportunistic strike provided the winning moment. The team will now aim to capitalize on their momentum and the electrifying atmosphere to claim their third AFCON title.
The final promises several captivating duels within the larger battle. The battle between Osimhen and the Ivorian defense led by the experienced Serge Aurier will be crucial. In midfield, Frank Onyeka’s Iwobi’s tactical awareness will be challenged by the veteran spark of Franck Kessié and Seko Fofana. Both teams boast talented wingers who can unlock defenses, making the full-back positions another key area to watch.
The Best Betting Odds for Nigeria vs Ivory Coast
| Markets | Odds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria win |
2.70 
|
2.75 
|
2.55 
|
2.712 
|
2.77 
|
|
| Draw |
2.87
|
2.82
|
2.85
|
2.744
|
2.88
|
|
| Ivory Coast win |
2.35
|
3.00
|
2.95
|
3.125
|
3.19
|
|
| Under 2.5 |
1.42
|
1.45
|
1.45
|
1.416
|
1.45
|
|
| Under 2.5 |
1.42
|
1.45
|
1.45
|
1.416
|
1.45
|
|
| Under 2.5 |
1.42
|
1.45
|
1.45
|
1.416
|
1.45
|
|
Conclusion
This final transcends the mere pursuit of a trophy. It’s a chance for Nigeria to silence their doubters after years of near misses, while Ivory Coast seeks major success on home turf. Both teams represent passionate fanbases, and the atmosphere in Abidjan is sure to be electric.
Samuel Okunsolawo is an iGaming expert with over six years of experience in content writing. His passion for simplifying complex concepts makes his articles accessible and useful for beginners and experts alike. With a focus on sports betting trends and reliable betting sites, Samuel’s articles are an excellent resource for those seeking guidance and staying up to date in the world of iGaming.