The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final is set to showcase a thrilling encounter between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the host nation, Ivory Coast, on Sunday, February 11.
Both teams have exhibited exceptional performance throughout the tournament, earning their places in the final after overcoming formidable opponents in the semi-finals.
Nigeria secured their spot in the final after a gripping encounter against South Africa, which culminated in a dramatic penalty shootout victory. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the hero, making crucial saves against Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa.
In a twist of fate, Nigeria initially celebrated what they believed to be a secured victory with a second goal from Victor Osimhen after William Troost-Ekong put the Super Eagles ahead from the penalty spot. However, VAR intervention, prompted by referee Amin Omar, overturned the decision due to a foul on South Africa’s Percy Tau, resulting in a penalty that leveled the score at 1-1.
On the other hand, Ivory Coast booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over DR Congo, courtesy of a decisive goal by Sebastien Haller. The Elephants’ journey to the final has been characterized by resilience and determination, overcoming challenges such as the threat of elimination during the group stage and managerial changes.
The final will be a rematch of the Group A encounter between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, where Nigeria emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, thanks to a penalty scored by captain William Troost-Ekong.
As excitement mounts for the final showdown, football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate witnessing the clash of these two African football powerhouses.
Meanwhile, fans can also look forward to the third-place match between South Africa and DR Congo on Saturday, promising another captivating display of football prowess.
