Today marks the final fixture of the African Cup of Nations in search of the new kings of Africa in the western hemisphere of the continent.
Image cred: Vanguard News
Sunday | February 11, 2024
The 2023 edition of the African Cup of Nations comes to an end with the final match today in Ivory Coast/Côde d’Ivoire.
Nigeria come toe-to-toe with the host Ivory Coast at Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 22h00.
Buoyed by the home fans, The Elephants [Ivorians] are gunning for their 3rd trophy on the heels of the 2015 and 1992 triumphs.
Of course, the Super Eagles [Nigeria] want to emerge victorious and increase their cup collection to four following the successful claim in 2013, 1994, and 1980.
Egypt still holds a record seven titles of this biannual African crown.
With the current holders, Senegal, out of the reckoning, both these countries stand an equal chance. They both managed to reach the final through overcoming touch challenges in the quests.
For their part, the Ivorians eliminated Democratic Republic of Congo in the semifinal and Senegal in the quarterfinal in a dramatic fashion.
Similarly, the Super Eagles overcame a highly motivated South Africa team and the formidable Cameroonians en route to this ultimate journey.
Now, the platform is perfectly orchestrated and set to usher and herald the new champions of the beautiful game in the highest competition in Africa.
As it has always been, either Ivory Coast or Nigeria, in the end, will be inaugurated as the 2023 AFCON kings.
And Abidjan, not least its hordes of enthusiasts, will witness all the confetti-embellished spectacle that comes with cup finals.