On Sunday, the Ivory Coast and Nigeria will face off in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Nigeria is arriving with an entire squad despite a long battle with South Africa in the semifinal (1-1, Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties). The Ivory Coast, who have beaten the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0, had a more challenging and slightly more unexpected road to the final.
Had a journey to the final no other host nation ever had. The Elephants of the Ivory Coast (Photo: CAF Online official account)
Les Elephants started their home tournament in style with an easy 3-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau, but then things started to mix up. They’ve lost to Nigeria 0-1, and on the final day of the group stage, somehow managed to lose 0-4 to Equatorial Guinea.
In response to this loss, Ivory Coast’s coach, Jean Louis Gasset, was fired, as the Ivorian football association thought they were eliminated. But thanks to a Moroccan victory against Zambia in the final game of the group stage, the Ivory Coast finished as the fourth-best team that finished in third place, hence got a place in the knockouts.
The local fans in Abidjan and Yamousoukro celebrated with the Moroccan flags in jubilation. Still, they remained realistic as their team headed to the round of 16 meeting with the reigning champions, Senegal.
Instead of Gasset, Emerece Faé took charge on the sidelines, and there, the Ivory Coast put up a great display, finished in a respectable 1-1 and won the game on penalties. They thought they were out of the tournament but eventually kicked out the champions!
In the quarterfinals, they continued that magical run with a victory against talented Mali, with a winner in the 121st minute, to make it 2-1, despite seeing two red cards during the match.
In the semifinal against DR Congo, it was clearer, easier and more definitive, as the Ivorians won 1-0 from a goal by Sebastian Haller.
Now, they face one of the most talented sides in Africa and the strongest team in the competition, who’s yet to lose a match - Nigeria of Victory Osimehn and Ademola Lookman.
With a journey like no other host nation ever experienced in a tournament, the Ivory Coast are ready to complete the mission and bring joy to their people with the country’s third-ever AFCON title.
Photo via CAF Online official X account.
