Hosts, Ivory Coast edged out D.R Congo in a cagey contest at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan to book their place in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations against Nigeria.
The only goal of the game came in the 65th minute when Borussia Dortmund striker, Sebastien Haller struck a volley that bounced down into the ground and up over D.R Congo’s goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi. The win is a huge relief for Ivory Coast having lost their previous match at the ground to Equatorial Guinea by 4-0.
It has been a highly dramatic and fairytale campaign for Ivory Coast, having lost two group matches, sacked a manager mid-tournament, relied on Morocco to qualify for the knockout stages as one of the third-best placed teams, sneaked into the quarterfinals via penalties following a last-minute equaliser, qualified for the semifinals after a last-gasp extra-time winner having played with a numerical disadvantage for most of the match and now into the final.
Emerse Fae’s men are the first hosts to reach an AFCON final since Egypt in 2006 and will hope to replicate the feat of the Egyptians by lifting the title on home soil.
Meanwhile, three-time African champions, Nigeria reached the final after beating South Africa 4-2 on penalties following a dramatic 1-1 draw in Bouake. Super Eagle’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who is undoubtedly the revelation of the tournament saved two penalties in the shootout.
He has conceded only 2 goals in 6 games while keeping 4 clean sheets as Nigeria makes yet another AFCON final. The win over South Africa extends Nigeria’s perfect record against their rivals at the Africa Cup of Nations – 4 wins from 4 games.
Although South Africa’s wait for an AFCON title will certainly extend to 29 years, they can be proud of a memorable campaign they have had thus far – largest ever win at the tourney (4-0 over Namibia) and a first semifinal appearance in 24 years.
It marks the eighth time the Super Eagles are in the final of the tournament and will be hoping to seal a fourth title. Nigeria are the most decorated nation in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, having won a total of 15 medals – 3 gold, 4 silver, 8 bronze – and will surely add another to their collection on Sunday.
The final will be a rematch of the group encounter where Nigeria emerged 1-0 victors courtesy of William Troost-Ekong’s goal from the spot. In a remarkable campaign that has included several dramatic twists and turns, Ivory Coast will go into the final confident about their chances in the heavyweight clash against Nigeria as both sides look to add to their Africa Cup of Nations titles.
