Ivorian fans confident they can beat Nigeria in AFCON final
Ivory Coast take on Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final as a thrilling tournament concludes with a blockbuster final in Abidja.
Ivory Coast, the tournament hosts, suffered a torrid start to their campaign and sacked their head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, following a 4-0 humiliation by Equatorial Guinea. Yet they squeezed through to the knockout stages as a best third-placed team and then proceeded to knock out reigning champions Senegal, much-fancied Mali and DR Congo in the semi-finals to book their place in the final.
Nigeria had steamrolled through most of this Africa Cup of Nations until their tense semi-final with South Africa, which went to a penalty shootout, where Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho put away the winning spot-kick. Nigeria are looking to secure their fourth Afcon title, while Ivory Coast would win their third if they can finish their extraordinary campaign with victory in the country’s capital, Abidjan.
Folllow all the latest Afcon final build-up, team news and more below, and get all the latest betting site offers on the final here.
Ivory Coast vs Nigeria LIVE: Latest Afcon final build-up and updates
- Ivory Coast face Nigeria in Africa Cup of Nations final, live on Sky Sports Main Event
- Hosts Ivory Coast survived a rollercoaster tournament to reach final in Abidjan
- Nigeria aiming to win fourth Afcon title, after edging South Africa in penalty shoot-out
- Ivory Coast XI: Y. Fofana; Aurier, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Seri, S. Fofana; Gradel, Haller, Adingra.
- Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Aina, Iwobi, Onyeka, Sanusi; Chukwueze, Osimhen, Lookman.
- 38’ GOAL! – Troost-Ekong powers a header into the back of the net (NGA 1-0 CIV)
- 33’ SAVE! – Nwabali denies Adingra from close range (NGA 0-0 CIV)
- 21’ CLOSE – Gradel’s overhead kick goes wide of the post (NGA 0-0 CIV)
Show latest update
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
45 mins: Four minutes of added time to play in the first half.
Mike Jones11 February 2024 20:46
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
42 mins: Ivory Coast will be nervous now despite controlling most of this match. Nigeria have only conceded two goals in the entire tournament and the hosts have to score.
Another goal for Nigeria and the trophy could be theirs. Africa Cup of Nations finals don’t tend to be high scoring affairs.
Mike Jones11 February 2024 20:44
GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast (Troost-Ekong, 38’)
38 mins: Nigeria strike first!
From the corner the ball is whipped into the near post where it hits a Nigerian head, maybe Alex Iwobi’s, and loops up in the air. The Super Eagles’ captain, William Troost-Ekong comes towards the ball, leaps over Serge Aurier and powers it into the back of the net!
Against the run of play, Nigeria are ahead.
Mike Jones11 February 2024 20:40
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
36 mins: That was a chance for Nigeria. Zaidu is played into a lot of space on the left after Ivory Coast lose possession. His first touch is heavy though which allows the defender to get across and deflect the ball out of play for a corner.
Mike Jones11 February 2024 20:38
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
33 mins: Save! Haller releases the ball to Franck Kessie who sweeps a pass over to the left side of the penalty area. Adingra gets in behind Ola Aina then blasts a shot at goal.
He should score but the angle is tight and Stanley Nwabali palms the ball away!
Mike Jones11 February 2024 20:35
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
30 mins: Ivory Coast have been the better team over the first half an hour as the teams take a break to take on some fluids due the to high temperatures.
Nigeria need to work hard and get themselves properly into the match. They need more time in possession to put pressure back onto the hosts.
Mike Jones11 February 2024 20:33
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
27 mins: Ndicka and Osimhen clash after the forward felt he took a forearm to the back of his head. The referee does his best to separate the two.
That should add a bit more spice to the contest.
Mike Jones11 February 2024 20:30
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
24 mins: Nigeria haven’t managed to create a chance on goal yet – either on or off target. Ivory Coast meanwhile have had five with two being decent opportunities to score.
The Super Eagles will be patient though. Their quality up top and in defence means they may only need one chance to win this game.
Mike Jones11 February 2024 20:24
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
21 mins: Close! The corner ball is whipped into the penalty area and hits Evan Ndicka on the arm. It bounces loose and comes to Gradel who attempts an overhead kick from near the far post but sends the effort wide.
Ivory Coast are knocking on the door.
Mike Jones11 February 2024 20:22
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
19 mins: Zaidu Sanusi makes a mistake trying to head the ball back to his goalkeeper, Max Gradel nips in behind the defndder but just can’t reach the ball before it bounces out for a corner.
Mike Jones11 February 2024 20:21