AFCON 2024 Final: Nigeria and Ivory Coast Battle for Glory
The stage is set for an epic showdown in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations final as Nigeria and the Ivory Coast go head-to-head in a bid to end their long silverware droughts. These two powerhouses of African football will undoubtedly provide a spectacle this weekend as they vie for the coveted trophy.
Ivory Coast, the host nation, will have the advantage of a roaring home crowd behind them. They have grown stronger throughout the tournament and have overcome setbacks to reach the final. The last time Ivory Coast tasted victory in the AFCON was in 2015, under the guidance of Herve Renard. That year, the Elephants had an exceptional squad featuring stars like Yaya and Kolo Toure, Serge Aurier, Gervinho, and Wilfried Bony. The final against Ghana was a nail-biting affair that ended in a goalless draw. The match was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, with Ivory Coast emerging triumphant with a 9-8 victory. Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry saved Brimah Razak’s penalty before scoring his own, becoming an instant hero. This was the second time Ivory Coast clinched the AFCON title, having previously won it in 1992. Now, they have their sights set on making it a hat-trick of victories.
For Nigeria, it has been even longer since they tasted success in the Africa Cup of Nations. Their last triumph came in 2013 when they lifted the trophy under the leadership of head coach Stephen Keshi. The Super Eagles had a squad that included notable players like John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses. Despite being considered one of the weakest Nigerian teams on paper, Keshi managed to create a cohesive and formidable group. Thanks to Emmanuel Emenike’s goals, they made it to the final and faced Burkina Faso. Ultimately, it was Sunday Mba who scored the winner in a 1-0 victory for Nigeria. Since then, the Super Eagles have struggled to replicate their past success. Now, they aim to secure their fourth AFCON title and put an end to their trophy drought.
While both Ivory Coast and Nigeria have had their fair share of AFCON triumphs, they are still chasing the record set by Egypt. Egypt has been the most successful team in AFCON history, winning the tournament on seven occasions, including three consecutive titles from 2006 to 2010. Cameroon follows closely behind with five victories. The Ivory Coast and Nigeria have both won the tournament twice, but they have a long way to go to catch up with the Egyptian Pharaohs.
As the AFCON 2024 final approaches, it is difficult to predict a clear winner. Both teams boast exceptional players who can turn the tide of the match. Nigeria can rely on the talents of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi, while the Ivory Coast has Sebastien Haller, Franck Kessie, and Simon Adingra in their ranks. The Elephants will enjoy the support of a passionate home crowd, which could either work in their favor or add pressure to their performance. Interestingly, Nigeria has already faced Ivory Coast in the group stages and emerged victorious with a 1-0 win. This gives them the psychological advantage heading into the final. They have also proven to be a defensively solid team throughout the tournament, conceding only two goals so far. An early goal from Nigeria could potentially deflate the crowd and make the atmosphere tense at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Fate seems to be favoring the Ivory Coast as they defied the odds to reach the final. After suffering a demoralizing 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea, they miraculously advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. They even made the bold decision to sack head coach Jean-Louis Gasset following that loss, but it did not hinder their progress. They went on to eliminate the holders Senegal on penalties and staged a remarkable comeback from 1-0 down with ten men to defeat Mali in the quarter-finals. Their semi-final victory against DR Congo was relatively more straightforward, as they secured a 1-0 win.
As the countdown to the AFCON 2024 final begins, football fans around the continent eagerly await a thrilling clash between two giants of African football. Who will be crowned the champions? Only time will tell.