WHO: Nigeria vs Ivory Coast
That: CAF AFCON 2023 Final
When: Sunday February 11, 2024, 20:00 GMT
Where: Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Nigeria coach José Peseiro has sought to downplay his team's label as favorites for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations crown, while talking about his failed African footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen.
The Super Eagles face the hosts, Ivory Coast, whom they beat 1-0 in the group stage in the final played on Sunday at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Abidjan.
The Elephants were almost eliminated at the first hurdle, having also lost to Equatorial Guinea in the final group game, and parted ways with their coach Jean-Louis Gasset as they waited for clarity on whether they would advance to the top four third place. . -placed finishers.
“There is no favorite for the final,” insisted the Portuguese coach. “Each team has a 50 percent chance, but we are determined to win this final.”
Meanwhile, Osimhen had already received praise from his coach for his work rate and performances in the tournament.
The Napoli striker gave his team a point in Nigeria's opening match against Equatorial Guinea, but has yet to find the net again.
“He doesn't play like he's the star. He fights for the team and he is completely selfless,” stated Peseiro.
“He knows that he is an important player and gives us the best energy. He has suffered a lot in this tournament with all the attention he receives from opposing defenders because he knows it is a team game.”
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼. 🤩
🦅 🆚 🐘
What band plays in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 final heaven? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RrAR6V2wD8
—CAF (@CAF_Online) February 8, 2024
Ivory Coast interim coach Emerse Fae was not his country's first choice to replace the outgoing Gasset, but is now leading his country into the final.
Now Fae can join an elite list of African Cup of Nations-winning coaches just weeks after taking charge of a senior game for the first time.
It would be a remarkable achievement for the 40-year-old French-born former Ivorian international, who played for his country in the 2006 final, albeit on the losing side.
He had been Gasset's assistant for the last 18 months, so he knew well what had happened and what needed to be done.
“We had tough days emotionally and mentally and we went out the back door,” Fae admitted. “Losing 4-0 at home was terrible and then we had to wait. Honestly, it was very difficult to work, to heal the wounds with our fingers crossed.”
Fae made several key changes and the Ivorians showed impressive mental toughness as they overcame defending champions Senegal in the round of 16 and neighbors Mali in the quarter-finals, coming from behind in both games.
Their semi-final victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo continued the comeback. The local press has dubbed Fae the “Special One.”
“No, no, no, that's not true,” he responded on Saturday when asked about the label first used for Portuguese coach José Mourinho.
“It's been a collective thing to get us all here.”
Nigerian players to watch
The African footballer of the year is yet to find his scoring touch in this tournament, but has earned praise from his coach for his work rate and performances.
Ademola Lookman
The former Everton striker scored all three goals his team scored in the round of 16 and quarter-finals against Cameroon and Angola. While Osimhen attracts the attention of numerous opposition players both in and out of possession, he has created opportunities for others which Lookman has taken full advantage of.
William Troost-Ekong
The captain has been a leader in every way for his team. The cornerstone of the team's defense, which has only conceded two goals in the tournament, Troost-Ekong also scored two penalties, including one against Ivory Coast in the group, in regulation time and scored in the shootout against South Africa .
A NATION. A DREAM. #AFCON2023 FINAL! 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/tFJxX8a5Te
—William Troost-Ekong (@WTroostEkong) February 7, 2024
Ivory Coast players to watch
Sebastian Haller
The Borussia Dortmund striker was only able to start for the first time in the tournament against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the semi-final. It was his goal, even if it was a miss, that sent the Elephants to the final. While an Ivory Coast victory would be incredible redemption in this edition, it would also mark a notable comeback for Haller, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022.
Simon Adingra
The Brighton and Hove Albion winger is becoming a sensation at the tournament and is undoubtedly a fan favorite of the host country. Every time the ball reaches Adingra's feet, the level of expectation and volume within the venue rises. It was Adingra who scored the tying goal against Mali in the 90th minute in the semi-final that took the tie to extra time.
Frank Kessie
The midfielder signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Alhi last year after being one of the hottest properties in European football for some time. The 27-year-old joined Serie A club Atalanta as a teenager before being signed by Italian giants AC Milan in 2019. Barcelona brought Kessie, who has been a driving force in the center of the park, to Spain in 2022 before your move. to Saudi Arabia.
forms guide
Nigeria: WWWW
Ivory Coast: LLWWW
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗘. 😮💨
🇳🇬 Nigeria 🆚 Ivory Coast 🇨🇮
Finally we are at the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 Last stop! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dk3AtUoXh2
—CAF (@CAF_Online) February 7, 2024
prize money
Champions: 7 million dollars
Runners-up: $4 million
Head-to-head record:
Matches: 12
Nigeria won: 4
Ivory Coast won: 6
Giveaways: 2
team news
Nigeria will hope there is no repeat of the abdominal discomfort that caused Osimhen to travel a day later than the rest of the team for the semi-final.
Left-back Zaidu Sanusi missed the semi-final with South Africa due to a hamstring injury but will undergo a late fitness test in the run-up to the final as he was a constant before the match with the Bafana Bafana.
The expected starting eleven for Nigeria: Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman.
Ivory Coast welcomes back the suspended pairing of Odilon Kossounou and Oumar Diakire, both sent off in the quarter-final victory against Mali. Kossounou started that game and is expected to return to defense in place of Willy Bolly.
The starting eleven planned for Ivory Coast: Yahia Fofana, Wilfried Singo, Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan, Frank Kessié, Jean-Michael Seri, Seko Fofana, Max Gradel, Sebastian Haller, Simon Adingra.
