After four weeks of a record number of goals, stunning upsets, remarkable comebacks, and unending drama, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will come to an end on Sunday when either two-time champions and hosts, Ivory Coast or three-time champions, Nigeria will be crowned kings of African football.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria aim for a fourth continental crown having won in 1980, 1994, and 2013 while the Ivorians are looking to add to their triumphs in 1992 and 2015.
The teams will meet for the second time at this year’s finals, 24 days after the Ivorians suffered a first-ever home defeat by Nigeria, a 1-0 group stage loss. The Super Eagles are unbeaten thus far while the Elephants lost two group games before staging miraculous comebacks against Senegal and Mali en route to the final.
Ivory Coast are the first host nation to reach the final since Egypt in 2006, with five of the last six hosts to have contested the final having gone on to lift the trophy – the only exception being the Super Eagles themselves in 2000.
Both sides have injury concerns with Nigeria waiting on the fitness of wing-back Zaidu Sanusi, while Ivory Coast has several players struggling with knocks after the semi-final. The quartet of Serge Aurier, Odilon Kossounou, Christian Kouame, and Oumar Diakite will hope to return after missing the D.R Congo tie due to suspension.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has produced a record 116 goals which may be extended in the final although history suggests the clash between Nigeria and Ivory Coast will be a low-scoring affair. The past 10 finals of the continental showpiece have recorded only 10 goals, with six of them coming in just two title deciders – Tunisia’s 2-1 triumph over Morocco in 2004 and Cameroon’s 2-1 win over Egypt in 2017.
Of the other 8 finals, 4 were won by a lone goal while the other 4 were decided by penalties following a goalless stalemate after 120 minutes of football.
Coming into the final, Ivory Coast have scored 6 goals in 6 games with 6 different goalscorers – Simon Adingra, Oumar Diakite, Seko Fofana, Sebastien Haller, Franck Kessie and Jean-Phillippe Krasso. Nigeria on the other hand have scored 7 goals in 6 matches with forward Ademola Lookman scoring thrice, vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong scoring twice, one from reigning African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen and an own goal from Guinea Bissau’s Opa Sangante.
Arguably, the most entertaining and competitive Africa Cup of Nations ever will have its climax at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium between two heavyweights, whoever emerges victorious will be entirely deserving of the record prize money, bragging rights and records that come with the continent’s most prized asset.
