Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Preview and Prediction

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Match Preview

Favourites Nigeria will face hosts and unlikely finalists Ivory Coast in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, February 11 at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe.

The Super Eagles enter this contest on the back of an incredible run of form. They have lost just once in their last 10 games, a run that included six wins and three draws as the other results. At this edition of the AFCON, they have won five and drawn one of their six games. Having qualified for the knockouts as runners-up, they eliminated Cameroon, Angola and South Africa. They have already won the AFCON three times before and will look to add a fourth title this year.

The Elephants, on the other hand, enter this final on the back of a great run of form. They have lost just two games in their last 10 across competitions, securing seven wins and one draw. They had a rather poor start to the tournament, only making it to the knockouts as the worst third-placed team. However, Ivory Coast then eliminated defending champions Senegal, before sending Mali and DR Congo home. Having won the AFCON twice before, they will look to equal Nigeria’s tally and lift their third cup.

On that note, let’s take a look at the team news from both the camps.

Team News & Predicted Lineups

Nigeria

Manager Jose Peseiro will be delighted with his squad as they have been model professionals, remaining fit throughout the tournament. They have also avoided unnecessary bookings that could lead to suspensions.

Another thing the manager will be proud of is that his entire squad made it out of their marathon semi-final win over South Africa unscathed. Following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time, the Super Eagles won 4-2 on penalties to progress. The manager used up all six of his available changes during the course of the game.

However, Peseiro is expected to retain the same starting XI for the final, deploying his trusted 3-4-3 formation.

Predicted XI: Stanley Nwabili (GK), Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong (C), Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman.

Ivory Coast

Manager Emerse Fae will have his entire squad available for selection in the final. Oumar Diakite and Odilon Kossounou have served their suspensions and will be eligible to rejoin the group. Meanwhile, none of the players have picked up suspensions or injuries in their 1-0 semi-final win over DR Congo.

Fae made two changes for the semis as he preferred Sebastien Haller and Simon Adingra over Christian Kouame and Nicolas Pepe. Serge Aurier was replaced by Wilfried Singo as well. Considering how they performed, he is likely to stick with that combination in the final as well.

Predicted XI: Yahia Fofana (GK), Wilfried Singo, Willy Boly, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan, Franck Kessie, Jean Michael Seri, Seko Fofana, Max Gradel (C), Sebastien Haller, Simon Adingra.

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Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Head-to-Head & Prediction

Last 5 Games Head-to-head

• Ivory Coast 0-1 Nigeria (01/24)
• Nigeria 0-1 Ivory Coast (01/15)
• Ivory Coast 2-0 Nigeria (07/13)
• Nigeria 4-1 Ivory Coast (07/13)
• Ivory Coast 1-2 Nigeria (02/13)

As you can see, the two African giants have barely faced each other over the last decade or so, with just five meetings since 2010. Nigeria edges the head-to-head record with three wins compared to Ivory Coast’s two.

While three of the last five have been low-scoring affairs with two or fewer goals, the other two games have seen three or more being scored.

The Super Eagles have already beaten the Elephants 1-0 earlier at this edition of the AFCON and that will give them the slight upper hand. However, the game could go to extra time or even penalties considering how close it could be. Osimhen will be one to watch considering he loves performing in big games.

Prediction: Nigeria 2-1 Ivory Coast.

Betting Tips

• Match Result: Nigeria.
• Both Teams to Score: Yes.
• Anytime Goal Scorer: Victor Osimhen.

Odds

• Nigeria Win: 2.75
• Draw: 3.00
• Ivory Coast Win: 2.85

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Timings & Telecast

• Date & Time: Sunday, February 11^th at 8 PM (GMT).
• India: FanCode app & website.
• UK: Sky Sports.
• US: BeIN Sports.
• Nigeria: NTA Channel.
• Ivory Coast: SABC.

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