Having met earlier in the competition, the hosts will go head-to-head again against Jose Peseiro’s Super Eagles
Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire will do battle in Abidjan for the right to be crowned 2023 Africa Cup of Nations kings.
The Super Eagles, who have ruled the continent on three occasion, closed in on the title thanks to a penalty shootout success over South Africa, after the fixture ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Elephants, who have lifted the trophy only twice before, bounced back from the brink of group stage elimination and edged Congo DR 1-0 thanks to a winner from Sebastien Haller.
The sides met in the group stage, with Jose Peseiro’s men winning 1-0, but will there be a repeat in the showcase?
Game Nigeria vs Cote d’Ivoire
Date Sunday, February 11
Time 9:00pm
For Soccernet.ng readers in Nigeria, they can watch that showdown on SuperSports, NTA and Afro Sports.
Cote d’Ivoire: Charles Folly, Yahia Fofana, Badra Ali Sangare, Evan Ndicka, Wilfried Singo, Ousmane Diomande, Ismael Diallo, Serge Aurier, Odilon Kossounou, Ghislain Konan, Willy-Arnaud Boly, Seko Fofana, Jean Seri, Franck Kessie, Idrissa Doumbia, Ibrahim Sangare, Lazare Amani, Max Gradel, Jeremie Boga, Simon Adingra, Oumar Diakite, Jean-Philippe Krasso, Sebastien Haller, Jonathan Bamba, Christian Kouame, Nicolas Pepe, Karim Konate.
Possible Cote d’Ivoire starting XI: Fofana, Boly, Konan, Ndicka, Singo, Gradel, Seri, S. Fofana, Kessie, Haller, Adingra
Nigeria: Olorunleke Ojo, Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Alhassan Yusuf, Raphael Onyedika, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Terem Moffi, Ademola Lookman, Terem Moffi
Possible Nigeria starting XI: Nwabali, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Aina, Osayi-Samuel, Bassey, Onyeka, Iwobi, Simon, Oimhen, Lookman
Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire face arguably the biggest 90 minutes in either country’s football history on Sunday, when they come face to face in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Emerse Fae’s men have reached this juncture thrice previously, but were successful twice – with their last triumph coming in 2015.
The two countries, though, have deservedly picked their way past 22 rivals to make it to the final in Abidjan, with Super Eagles staying unbeaten in all six matches played so far.
Indeed, this is a repeat of a Group A clash that was won 1-0 by the Super Eagles back on January 18, with William Troost-Ekong’s penalty shortly after the break the difference between the sides.
“We are very focused as a team, and we will be executing our abilities as expected,” stressed captain Ahmed Musa.
“We’re ready as a team to deliver for the fans. The most important thing is for us to win the tournament because we are the most deserving as of now to win it. The Nigerian community deserves the happiness and unity that come with becoming champions of the Nations Cup.”
Meanwhile, Sebastien Haller highlighted the importance of the final, insisting his team will not lose twice.
“There is a difference between playing a group match and a final,” he said.
“The fact that we have already faced each other is an advantage for both teams.
“I expect a tough match, we know how Nigerians play, it’s up to us to give them problems.
“Our journey has strengthened our bonds within the group. Ivory Coast has gone through trials that have made it stronger.”
Cote d’Ivoire are the first host nation to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final since Egypt in 2006, who won the trophy that year on penalties against the Elephants after a 0-0 draw.
Five of the last six host nations to reach the final have won the tournament; the exception being Nigeria in 2000 (drew 2-2 with Cameroon, lost 4-3 on penalties).
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