Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Preview & Prediction | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations | Final
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THE FACTS
When is Nigeria vs Ivory Coast on and what time does it start? Nigeria vs Ivory Coast will take place on Sunday 11th February, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Nigeria vs Ivory Coast? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Nigeria vs Ivory Coast on in the UK? Nigeria vs Ivory Coast will be televised live on Sky Sports
Where can I stream Nigeria vs Ivory Coast in the UK? Sky Sports subscribers can stream Nigeria vs Ivory Coast live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
NIGERIA
Heading into this tournament, Jose Peseiro turned down a contract with the Nigerian Football Federation as he continued to underwhelm in charge of The Super Eagles. The Nigerians had badly struggled for any consistency or fluency and they started with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea, highlighting their issues.
Since then, though, they have turned into a ruthless ‘tournament team’ with an incredibly impressive defensive record. Back-to-back to nil victories, including a win over their final opponents, saw them through the groups before a composed 1-0 defeat of Angola in the quarters following on from beating Cameroon 2-0. Their dramatic penalty shootout win over South Africa was a little more nervy than they would have preferred but they still just about edged through.
IVORY COAST
Ivory Coast head into the final of a major tournament without a permanent manager. Former Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux coach Jean-Louis Gasset parted company with the Ivorian FA after the group stages when their 4-0 hammering at the hands of Equatorial Guinea seemed to have inevitably eliminated them but they managed to sneak through as the fourth best third placed team.
Then, remarkably, under the management of former Reading midfielder Emerse Fae, they managed to defeat defending champions Senegal on penalties, who were the only team to have won all three group games, before an extra-time win over an impressive Mali side in the quarters. Their most complete display of the tournament came on Wednesday evening when they defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo by a goal to nil.
THE TEAM NEWS
NIGERIA
Jose Peseiro switched to a back three system after Nigeria’s opening draw with Equatorial Guinea and it has allowed for the perfect balance. The Super Eagles have no reported availability concerns so will be unchanged for this final.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Nwabali; Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Osayi-Samuel, Onyeka, Iwobi, Aina; Simon, Osimhen, Lookman
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
IVORY COAST
The Ivory Coast finally got Sebastian Haller producing the other day in their semi-final so the former West Ham striker is expected to keep his spot in the final with the Ivorians likely to be unchanged, despite Odilon Kossounou and Oumar Diakite returning from suspension.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Y. Fofana; Singo, Boly, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Seri, S. Fofana; Gradel, Haller, Adingra
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Whilst Nigeria’s route to the final, barring their dramatic victory over South Africa in the semi-finals, may have appeared as though they are very dominant and composed, especially in comparison to their opponents, it has been far from that in reality. They will be confident, though, of ensuring their defensive capabilities are enough to limit an Ivorian attack that has relied upon moments of individual quality or fortune. Nigeria probably have the edge in terms of performances and personnel but Ivory Coast’s home advantage and apparent destiny does even it up a touch. These two met in the group stages with Nigeria winning by a goal to nil via a William Troost-Ekong penalty and another tense and nervy affair is to be expected with the safest bet to be to back against a high-scoring game.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
