The final of an incredibly dramatic Africa Cup of Nations will see hosts Ivory Coast take on Nigeria on Sunday for a shot at international glory.
It has been a tournament that will live long in the memory, with many of the early favourites being dumped out before the quarter-finals.
The Ivory Coast have certainly reached the final in the most chaotic manner, nearly being eliminated in the group stage before parting ways with their coach ahead of the round of 16. Their wins over Senegal and Mali were full of drama and they now come up against a Nigeria team that beat them 1-0 in the second group stage game.
The Super Eagles have been steadily impressive during AFCON, but there’s still the feeling they have more gears to go through. Regardless, they are just one game away from creating history.
Here’s everything you need to know about the AFCON final.
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Country |
TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom |
Sky Sports Football, BBC iPlayer, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event, BBC3, BBC Sport Web, SKY GO Extra |
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United States |
beIN SPORTS CONNECT, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español |
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Canada |
fuboTV Canada, beIN SPORTS en Espanol, beIN Sports Canada, Fanatiz Canada, beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada |
Nigeria may well have the more fatigued starting XI for the AFCON final, having rotated their squad far less than Ivory Coast who were desperately scrambling for cohesion earlier in the competition.
There are no fresh injury concerns from the semi-final for coach Jose Peseiro to contend with and they are expected to look recognisable from the previous rounds, with Victor Osimhen supported by fellow Serie A star Ademola Lookman.
Nigeria predicted lineup vs Ivory Coast (3-4-2-1): Nwabali; Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Osayi-Samuel, Onyeka, Iwobi, Aina; Simon, Lookman; Osimhen.
Only a handful of Ivory Coast players like Evan Ndicka, Franck Kessie and Seko Fofana have been mainstays in the team. Les Elephants seem to have reached the final almost entirely on spirit rather than superb performances throughout the tournament.
For that reason, there’s little reason for manager Emerse Fae to start fiddling with his lineup from the semi-final against DR Congo. Sebastien Haller will lead the line again, but Nicolas Pepe might replace Max Gradel on the right wing.
Ivory Coast predicted lineup vs Nigeria (4-3-3): Fofana; Aurier, Boly, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Seri, Fofana; Pepe, Haller, Adingra.
The Ivory Coast’s momentum and home advantage makes them the neutral’s favourite, but there is still a gulf in class between them and Nigeria. It really is a head or heart decision when it comes to choosing a winner in this AFCON final.
With players like Osimhen, Lookman and Moses Simon, Nigeria should be able to win this final if they get the basics right and take their chances.
