Down memory lane , I can still remember with nostalgia when I sat dow
n on the top most part of the stadium stand of the Main Bowl of the National Stadium in Surulere Lagos at the Alhaji Masha end of the pitch , if I may use the apt descriptions of the veteran football broadcaster of blessed memory , Ernest Okonkwo as he used to describe it while broadcasting on radio , those good old days , to watch the finals of the Ghana/Nigeria AFCON 2000 that was co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana, between Nigeria and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun , that’s about 23 years ago ,, how times fly , just looking like yesteeday to me I was only one year old in Lagos then .

Then another finals today Sunday February 11, 2024, but this time via television as the tournament is being hosted by our neighbouring West African country , Ivory Coast .

Nigeria and Ivory Coast have survived the rigours , twist and turns of the round leather game to get to the finals .of AFCON 2023 edition . It was not a smooth journey for both teams.
The football rivalry between the two formidable foes in football is legendary and well known by ardent football followers in Africa and beyond .

The question one may ask at this stage of the tournament is ?? , how prepared are the two teams both physically and psychological for the finals . ???

When it comes to cup finals, several factors can come into play when it comes to determining the winner.
In the past, brilliant footballing nations have stumbled when it matters in the final, as sometimes factors like experience in the grand stage end up being the difference between a win and the pain of defeat.
Between Ivory Coast and Nigeria, the two nations have their fair share of experience in playing at the AFCON finals.
It goes without saying that the Super Eagles are superior in this department, having featured in seven finals in the past, winning it three times.
In comparison, Ivory Coast have played in four finals since 1957, winning in two of those matches. Their latest AFCON triumph came in 2015 when they beat Ghana 9-8 in a penalty shootout in Estadio de Bata in Equatorial Guinea .
Head to Head In Nations Cup History .
While the Super Eagles certainly have a decent record in going all the way to the final, the fact that they have lost more finals than they have won paints a worrying picture ahead of the showdown at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan.
Ivory Coast have won 50% of the AFCON finals they have played in, while Nigeria have won just 42.3 of the finals they have played in.
A breakdown of all of Nigeria’s AFCON final results before the 2023 edition of the competition:

1980: Won their first title by beating Algeria 3-1
1984 – Lost 3-1 to Cameroon

1988 – Lost 1-0 to Cameroon
1990: Lost 1-0 to Algeria

1994: Won 2-1 vs Zambia
2000: Lost 4-3 to Cameroon in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw AET

2013: Won 1-0 against Burkina Faso

Ivory Coast’s performances in the AFCON finals so far .
1992: Beat Ghana 11-10 on penalties to win their first title
2006: Lost 4-2 to Egypt on penalties
2012: Beaten by Zambia 8-7 via penalties
2015: Beat Ghana 9-8 on penalties

Today’s finals between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium is a rematch of their Group A encounter.
Much has changed since the Super Eagles defeated the Elephants earlier in the tournament, with the hosts surmounting obstacles when hope seemed to be lost, and they now appear to have momentum heading into the decider in Abidjan.

The Super Eagles who were more or less outsiders before the tournament went through thick and thin to get to the finals after heavy weights like Egypt , Senegal and surprise ousting of Atlas Lions of Morocco were shown the way out early enough , have put Nigeira in a proper frame of mind amongst the book makers as well to be reckoned with in today’s final .
While Ivory Coast fans may have condlcued that the Elephants will make it to the finals considering their home support , but a 4-0 pummelling as well as a 1-0 defeat by Nigeira did not put them in a good stead to qualify , till they were picked from the best qualifiers in the group stage .

Unlike the hosts who are in a much better stead prior to this final toda,y several Nigerians are at a physical disadvantage, underscored by Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Osimhen and Frank Onyeka playing over 500 minutes, while the quintet comprising Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong, Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon have accumulated over 400 minutes.
Despite feeding off scraps against Bafana Bafana, Osimhen — who found ways to be decisive after overcoming abdominal discomfort to play in the semi-final — should be supported by Lookman and Simon up top.
Peseiro finally handed Terem Moffi and Kelechi Iheanacho long-awaited game time in the semis, and the pair were composed to dispatch their spot kicks in the shootout, with the Leicester City man converting the decisive penalty.
It remains to be seen if the previously erratic Zaidu Sanusi features at wing-back after his non-appearance in the semis, signifying that Bright Osayi-Samuel could be retained on the right with Aina filling in on the other flank.
Fae’s troops may have played extra time on two occasions before the final, but they are undoubtedly the fresher side, evidenced by only Evan Ndicka (600 minutes), Ghislain Konan (564), Seko Fofana (530) and Franck Kessie (527) accumulating worrisome mileage.
The next pair of Ibrahim Sangare (371) and Wilfried Singo (327) have played significantly fewer minutes than their opponents, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder not starting since the round of 16 and Singo not guaranteed a starting spot at right-back. Fae’s pick on Sunday is uncertain owing to Serge Aurier’s return from suspension after missing Wednesday’s semi-final win for accumulating yellow cards.
Oumar Diakite — match-winner against Mali — also returns from suspension, but the returnee could make do with a spot on the bench, with Haller and Adingra likely to play from the off and Nicolas Pepe expected to compete with Max Gradel for a spot in the XI.
Also the huge presence of Borrussia Dortmund striker , Sabastian Healer should not be ignored as he is likey to start for the first time in the competion , as his unconventional goals especially against DR Congo goal tender Mpasi made Ivory Coast to be in the finals today .

Having previously lost two matches in their last AFCON to Nigeira , today’s final may be a revenge mission for the Elephants , who may have it at the back of their mind , that it’s their turn to take the pound of flesh from their West African neighbours .Nigeira .

Predictions for today’s match

1-1 , 2-1 , 0-0 , 1-0 for Nigeria.

Happy Viewing , Happy final s to Nigeria and Ivory Coast . Happy Sunday .

@Uchefreetips . (2024 C).