Nigeria-Côte d’Ivoire is the final of the African Cup of Nations and is played Sunday at 9 p.m.: free-to-air TV, streaming, likely lineups, predictions.
The 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations draws to a close. There has been no shortage of twists and turns in the edition that is coming to a close, undoubtedly one of the most exciting of the last decade. There have been many surprises, although in the end two of the continent’s most emblazoned selections will contend for the title: Osimhen’s Nigeria, in the hunt for its fourth success in the event-the last triumph dates back to 2013-and the hosts Ivory Coast, who dream of celebrating in front of their own public by repeating the feats of 1992 and 2015 (it would be the Elephants’ third title).
Nigeria were initially not among the favorites, but in spite of one of the most assorted offensive departments-in addition to Osimhen, the Super Eagles can also count on Lookman, Chukwueze, Moffi, and Iheanacho-they have reached the last act thanks to a very solid defensive set-up. After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in the opener, head coach Jose Peseiro opted for a more conservative form, switching to a three-man defense. A move that immediately paid dividends: Nigeria won the remaining group matches without conceding a goal – one of them with Ivory Coast itself (1-0) – repeating itself also against Cameroon (2-0) and Angola (1-0) in the round of 16 and quarters, respectively. It didn’t go smoothly, however, in the semifinal with South Africa, which not only prevented the Nigerians from registering yet another clean sheet (1-1), but also dragged the match all the way to penalty kicks: mistakes by Mokoena and Makgopa were decisive.
The feat of the Elephants
Decidedly more circuitous, on the other hand, was the path of the Ivory Coast, which “died” and was reborn several times. On the adventure of Kessié and companions, in fact, one could write the screenplay of a film.
After the group stage, the Ivorians were practically out, to the point that the federation decided to relieve head coach Gasset, replacing him with Under-23 coach Emerse Faé. In the end, however, the Elephants barely made it back into the top third (despite a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea), qualifying for the knockout stage. Against defending champions Senegal, they looked doomed in the round of 16, but after equalizing with 4′ to go they came out on penalties. Even more dramatic was the challenge with Mali in the quarters, decided by a goal from Diakité (1-2) at 120′, just before the final whistle. By contrast, Borussia Dortmund center forward Sebastien Haller was the decider in the semifinal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (1-0). In the final the Ivory Coast will find again Aurier, Kossounou and Diakité, who were disqualified in the last match, but only the former is expected to start. Some changes cannot be ruled out instead in Nigeria, as the Super Eagles were on the field half an hour longer than the Ivorians.
The prediction
Nigeria, as mentioned, is very solid but did not convince even against South Africa, graced on several occasions by the Bafana Bafana forwards. The Ivory Coast did not shine either, but the Elephants, after the rocky qualifiers, are now in a sort of competitive trance. Plus they will be able to count on the support of the crowd. We do not expect a spectacular match and the extra-time (and possibly penalty shoot-out) option is worth considering. Ivory Coast, in any case, has everything to overturn the odds.
Nigeria-Côte d’Ivoire’s likely lineups
NIGERIA (3-4-2-1): Nwabali; Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Osayi-Samuel, Onyeka, Iwobi, Ola Aina; Simon, Lookman; Osimhen.
IVORY COAST (4-3-3): Y. Fofana; Aurier, Boly, N’Dicka, Konan; Kessié, Seri, S. Fofana; Pépé, Haller, Adingra.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
