Nigeria vs Ivory Coast: Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final

The AFCON Cup of Nations has been a spectacle of intense soccer drama, particularly evident in the journey of Nigeria and host nation Ivory Coast leading up to Sunday’s final.

Nigeria secured a spot in the final through a tumultuous semifinal victory over South Africa, marked by a VAR-overturned goal, two penalty-kick goals (including a dramatic 90th-minute equalizer by South Africa), a red card, and ultimately, a penalty shootout.

On the other hand, Ivory Coast advanced to the final with a comparatively less eventful 1-0 semifinal win over the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nevertheless, the path to that victory was not without its share of chaos. Twice, Ivory Coast’s quarter-final opponent, Mali, likely believed they were progressing to the semis, only to be thwarted by the Elephants. Holding a 1-0 lead late and with Ivory Coast down a player due to a red card, Mali was on the brink of upsetting the hosts and advancing.

However, Ivory Coast equalized in the 90th minute, forced extra time, had a second player red-carded, only to ultimately secure a 2-1 victory with a goal in stoppage time.

In a rematch from the group stage, Nigeria and Ivory Coast will face each other for the second time in the AFCON Cup of Nations tournament, with the Super Eagles emerging victorious in their previous encounter with a 1-0 win.