Nigeria will take on Ivory Coast on Sunday, February 11, 2024, in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimbe at 23:00 EAT (East African Time).
The Super Eagles have won the African Cup of Nations tournament three times and have been showing signs of emerging victorious on Sunday following their wins against their opponents.
The Jose Peseiro boys secured their finals slot following a dramatic win against 2013 AFCON hosts, South Africa, on Wednesday 7 at Stade Bouake Stadium.
In an epic match, The Bafana Bafana (The Boys) pushed the Super Eagles up to the penalty shootouts where they lost 4-2 following Stanley Nwabali’s magnificent performance which saved two penalties.
Nigeria is optimistic about becoming champions of AFCON come Sunday as they trust their squad, with their lethal forward Victor Osimhen eager to lift the trophy for the first time and start building his legacy.
The Super Eagles however can not avoid wishing away their Sunday competitor Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast has showcased impressive skills especially after they sacked their coach Jean-Louis Gasset for poor results in a game against Equatorial Guinea where the opponent beat them 4-1 in their homeland and in the presence of a huge crowd of spectators.
The Elephants’ game plan has been successful after signing an interim coach, Emerse Fae, who yesterday told the press that seeing his side getting into the finals is like a dream to him.
Since taking charge, Fae’s boys have not only been crushing every opponent but also dominating every game. It remains to be seen whether they will keep up the performance on Sunday against Nigeria.
The two-time AFCON champions Ivory Coast intend to leverage playing at their home ground to get their third AFCON title, after doing so in 1992 and 2015.
The hosts started this tournament in a hopeless way but the team now looks strong enough to play against Nigeria who will be appearing in the AFCON on Sunday for the eighth time.
Both countries are popular for producing high-profile footballers who have played for teams that won the Champions League and other highly competitive tournaments like the English Premier League and FA Cup.
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