Ivory Coast narrowly avoided elimination in the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations but have made a remarkable turnaround to reach the final against Nigeria at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé. Now, the Fans await to see who can go all the way to win the Prestigious title final between Nigeria vs Ivory Coast.
Nigeria vs Ivory Coast: Match Preview
Despite a shaky start and the dismissal of their head coach mid-tournament, Ivory Coast managed to secure their spot in the knockout stages, relying on crucial wins and favourable results elsewhere. Under interim coach Emerse Faé, they’ve battled through the knockouts, reaching the final with determined performances.
Nigeria, on the other hand, have displayed consistency and defensive solidity throughout the tournament, conceding just two goals in six matches. Their journey to the final has been marked by disciplined displays and narrow victories, with Ademola Lookman making key contributions in crucial moments.
The final presents an opportunity for both teams to secure glory, with Nigeria aiming to add to their AFCON titles and Ivory Coast seeking to make history as the tournament’s host nation champions.
Also Read: Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Betting Tips & Odds | AFCON 2023 Final
Nigeria vs Ivory Coast: Head to Head
Nigeria and Ivory Coast are set to clash for the eighth time at the Africa Cup of Nations, with Nigeria holding the edge with three victories compared to Ivory Coast’s two, along with two draws.
Their encounters include significant matches from AFCON history, such as a group stage draw in 1980 and a memorable 4-2 Nigeria win on penalties after a 2-2 semi-final draw in 1994. Nigeria also emerged victorious with a 2-1 win in the quarter-finals in 2013.
In the current tournament, Nigeria secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast on Matchday 2 of Group A, courtesy of a Troost-Ekong penalty. Despite a tightly contested affair, Nigeria managed to clinch the win with their only shot on target.
Prior to this tournament, their most recent encounter dated back to January 2015, a friendly match which Ivory Coast narrowly won 1-0.
Also Read: Taking a look at Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Head to Head record ahead of the AFCON Final
Nigeria vs Ivory Coast: Who Can Win – Match Prediction
According to the Opta supercomputer, Nigeria are heavily favored to win the 2023 AFCON final, with a 44.2% chance of victory within 90 minutes. However, Ivory Coast still holds a respectable 30.2% chance of defeating their opponents in regular time.
Approximately 25.6% of simulations predict the need for extra time or penalties, further favoring Nigeria. Despite being considered underdogs now, Ivory Coast had better odds in pre-tournament simulations, highlighting their ability to defy expectations.
With home advantage in their favor, Ivory Coast remains a formidable opponent, capable of causing to be crowned as Champions in Sunday’s final.