Africa Cup of Nations

Subterms

    More stories

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Nigeria vs Ivory Coast LIVE RESULT: Afcon final latest – Haller WINS it for the hosts as Elephants fight from goal down

      by

      SEBASTIEN HALLER and Franck Kessie have fired hosts Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations trophy as the hosts battled from a goal down to win the game.The Super Eagles took the lead in the first-half after Super Eagles skipper William Troost-Ekong powered home a close range header.
      But Kessie fired home from close range to draw the Elephants, who sacked their manager during the group stage, level.
      Former West Ham striker Haller – who had a six-month fight with cancer – then completed a fairy tale ending, poking home a cross to earn the hosts the Afcon title.

      Match result: Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
      Nigeria XI: Nwabali, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Aina, Onyeka, Iwobi, Sanusi, Chukwueze, Lookman, Osimhen.
      Ivory Coast XI: Fofana, Aurier, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan, Kessie, Seri, Fofana, Gradel, Haller, Adingra.

      Follow all the action from the massive final in our live blog below…
      READ MORE IN AFCON
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Match report, Jon West:
      SEBASTIEN HALLER was the comeback hero as the Ivory Coast lifted the Africa Nations Cup in front of their own fans.
      Nigeria scored first in the thriller on Sunday night.
      But ex-West Ham forward Haller, now at Borussia Dortmund, netted a winner for 2-1 nine minutes from time to complete a remarkable personal journey as well.
      Haller, 29, had his career put on hold by cancer but returned to triumph on the continent’s biggest stage.
      Ivory Coast, who only just scraped through the group stage, bossed the opening exchanges.
      Veteran Max Gradel went close with an overhead kick into the side-netting.
      Read the rest of the match report, here….
      Copy linkCopiedSunSport MOTM:
      There were some incredible performances out there for Ivory Coast tonight.
      Jean-Michael Seri ran the show in midfield, and controlled the game absolutely brilliantly.
      Sebastian Haller completed his fairy-tale story and scored the winning goal, as well as proving a handful for the Nigerian defence throughout.
      Odilon Kossounou was exceptional at centre-half, as he has been for Bayer Leverkusen all season too.
      But the SunSport Man of the Match goes to Simon Adingra.
      I told you before the game kicked off that he was the young player to watch, and he showed his immense potential once again tonight.
      Brighton have got a gem on their hands that caused no end of problems for Ola Aina, and he picked up two assists to boot too.
      What a performance. Simon Adingra take a bow.
      Simon Adingra was the star of the show in the AFCON finalCredit: Reuters
      Copy linkCopiedNever give up
      Let Sebastian Haller’s story be one that inspires you all.
      Never. Give. Up.
      Sebastian Haller has an inspiring story to shareCredit: X – @FabrizioRomano
      Copy linkCopiedNew manager bounce?
      It looked like bad news for Ivory Coast when they removed incumbent manager Jean-Louis Gasset and replaced him with his assistant, Emerse Fae as interim head coach.
      But it turned out to be the best possible decision they could have made…
      Fae was able to immediately benefit from Afcon’s recent expansion from a 16-team tournament to a 24 team event, seeing his side qualify for the round of 16 as one of the best performing third place group stage teams.
      They had a few dramatic games in the RO16 and quarter-finals, with both going to extra-time, but the “zombie” team were able to reach the final in a more straight forward manner on Wednesday, beating DR Congo 1-0 courtesy of a Sebastien Haller strike.
      They then took it all the way tonight, overturning a one goal deficit to win 2-1 thanks to another bit of brilliance by Mr. Haller.
      What a story.
      Emerse Fae (pictured) replaced Jean-Louis Gasset mid tournamentCredit: Reuters
      Copy linkCopiedHeroic Haller!
      What a fairy-tale story that is.
      In July 2022 Sebastian Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer, less than two years later he has scored the winner to make his country champions of Africa.
      If was a deft flick at the near post, following excellent work by Simon Adingra, which ended up in the top right corner.
      What a game, what a goal, what a story.
      That is the beauty of the African Cup of Nations.
      Sebastian Haller was the hero for Ivory CoastCredit: Reuters
      Copy linkCopiedFULL TIME! Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
      THEY HAVE DONE IT. IVORY COAST ARE AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS CHAMPIONS!
      ABIDJAN ERUPTS!
      Abidjan erupts as Ivory Coast win the African Cup of NationsCredit: Reuters
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
      90+6. It’s lumped forward again and again by Nigeria, still to no avail.
      They need to get their foot on the ball, but Ivory Coast are doing so well to prevent them from doing so.
      Ivory Coast can sense it…
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
      90+3. The magnificent Jean-Michael Seri comes off to be replaced by Lazare Amani.
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
      90. There has been SEVEN minutes added on at the end of the ninety here.
      Nigeria are getting desperate.
      Jean Krasso is on for the heroic Haller, and Fofana is replaced by Sangare.
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
      87. There is still time for Nigeria here, who look like they are finally going to go for it in this game.
      There are two more changes for Nigeria in the dying moments, as forwards Terem Moffi and Joe Aribo are on for Frank Onyeka and Zaidu Sanusi.
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
      82. What a finish that is by Sebastian Haller, a toe on the cross that flew into the top right corner.
      That could just be the fairy-tale ending to this story.
      Copy linkCopiedGOALLLLLL! Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
      IVORY COAST TAKE THE LEAD, IT’S SEBASTIAN HALLER!
      Simon Adingra beats Ola Aina and crosses for Sebastian Haller to tap home! The Abidjan crowd is going WILD!
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
      78. Another chance for the players to catch a breather and some water as Osimhen goes down.
      Kelechi Iheanacho replaces Ademola Lookman and Alhassan Yusuf comes on for Alex Iwobi.
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
      75. Time for the second cooling break, with just 15 minutes plus stoppages to go.
      Copy linkCopiedSO CLOSE! Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
      74. That was almost it, that was almost the moment for Sebastian Haller and Ivory Coast.
      A cross is put into the middle for Simon Adingra, who heads it across goal for Sebastian Haller to attempt a bicycle kick.
      It floats just wide of the top corner, but we have seen him do that before.
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
      72. Adingra continues to tear up the left hand side for Ivory Coast, and the pressure is really starting to build.
      Osimhen cuts a very frustrated figure.
      Copy linkCopiedSUBS! Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
      70. Oumar Diakite is on for Max Gradel, who has been excellent so far.
      Wilfried Singo is on to replace Serge Aurier.
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
      67. Nigeria have a free kick in the attacking half, taken by Lookman into Troost-Ekong once more.
      It is a free header, but it floats over the crossbar.
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
      65. Only once in the previous ten renditions have we seen two goals in an AFCON final.
      Victor Osimhen is now pleading with his teammates to step forward and move the ball forward.
      Ivory Coast feel that they can take advantage of the moment here and get another.
      Copy linkCopiedGOALLLLLL! Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
      63. IVORY COAST LEVEL THE SCORING!
      It’s Kessie from the corner!
      Simon Adingra whips the ball in perfectly, for Kessie to head into the ground and into the net!
      That is what they have deserved, and Didier Drogba leads the celebrations for the Cote d’Ivoire faithful!
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
      62. Ivory Coast really putting on the pressure here.
      A diving header from Kessie is saved, and then a long shot from Kossounou leads to a corner for the hosts.
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
      60. Onyeka gives away another foul, on Kessie this time.
      Seri lashes a shot from distance following a lovely bit of skill, but it is wide of the mark.
      Copy linkCopiedSUB! Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
      57. Excellent midfield play from Jean Michael Seri, who holds off Victor Osimhen and wins a throw in for his side.
      Samuel Chukwueze is substituted for Moses Simon.
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
      55. Stanley Nwabali and Serge Aurier are both given yellow cards by the referee following some choice words from both of them.
      The game is back underway and it is no penalty for the challenge on Max Gradel.
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
      52. One for VAR to look at here as Gradel goes down in the penalty area.
      The referee doesn’t give it, and I must say it doesn’t look like a penalty, it looks like Gradel is trying to buy that one…
      Copy linkCopied More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Ivory Coast 2 Nigeria 1: Cancer-beating striker Sebastien Haller completes fairytale to win Afcon for managerless hosts

      by

      SEBASTIEN HALLER was the comeback hero as the Ivory Coast lifted the Africa Nations Cup in front of their own fans.Nigeria scored first in the thriller on Sunday night.
      Cancer survivor Sebastien Haller fired Ivory Coast to gloryCredit: AP
      Haller scored a brilliant goal to complete a 2-1 comeback win for the hostsCredit: AFP

      But ex-West Ham forward Haller, now at Borussia Dortmund, netted a winner for 2-1 nine minutes from time to complete a remarkable personal journey as well.
      Haller, 29, had his career put on hold by cancer but returned to triumph on the continent’s biggest stage.
      Ivory Coast, who only just scraped through the group stage, bossed the opening exchanges.
      Veteran Max Gradel went close with an overhead kick into the side-netting.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Brighton’s Simon Adingra was next to have a go, forcing keeper Stanley Nwabili into a smart stop.
      And then, in the 38th minute, Nigeria converted their first chance through William Troost-Ekong.
      Ex-England Under-21 star Ademola Lookman’s corner was flicked on to the back post where the ex-Watford defender came charging in to out-jump Serge Aurier and head home.
      Fulham defender Calvin Bassey blocked Gradel’s shot on the line after the break before Frank Kessié fluffed a diving header.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      IVORY COAST’S ROUTE TO GLORYHow the hosts won Afcon…

      Ivory Coast 2 Guinea-Bissau 0 (Group Stage)

      Ivory Coast 0 Nigeria 1 (Group Stage)

      Equatorial Guinea 4 Ivory Coast 0 (Group Stage)

      Senegal 1 Ivory Coast 1, 4-5 pens (Last 16)

      Mali 1 Ivory Coast 2 (Quarters)

      Ivory Coast 1 DR Congo 0 (Semis)

      Nigeria 1 Ivory Coast 2 (Final)

      But Kessie made no mistake in the 62nd minute. The ex-Barcelona midfielder, now in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli, headed in a free-kick from Adingra.
      Haller sent an overhead kick wide before Adingra set him up for an emotional winner, poking home from close range in the 81st minute.
      Afcon chaos as goalkeeper sent off after just 17 MINUTES and fans ‘think he is playing basketball’
      Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba celebrated in delight as he watched from the stands.
      Fellow Chelsea icon Salomon Kalou also looked on proudly from the crowd.
      And Ivorians around the world are sure to celebrate long into the night.
      It was a huge win for Ivory Coast on home soilCredit: AP
      Nigeria were left devastated by the defeatCredit: AP
      Ivory Coast had looked set to crash out at the group stageCredit: AFP
      Chelsea legend Didier Drogba celebrated wildlyCredit: Reuters
      Ivory Coast lifted the trophy on home soilCredit: AFP
      Ex-Leeds star Max Gradel (right) and striker Simon Adingra (left) kissing the trophyCredit: AFP More

    • 100 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Who is Afcon 2023 final referee Dahane Beida?

      by

      THE Africa Cup of Nations final is upon us after a thrilling tournament in the Ivory Coast.And the refereeing team has been decided with a Mauritanian star named as the official for the big one.
      Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida is refereeing the Afcon finalCredit: AFP
      Who is Afcon final referee Dahane Beida?
      Dahane Beida is refereeing the Afcon final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
      Beida is a 32-year-old Mauritanian official, and was the referee for Egypt’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Mozambique in the group stage.
      That match saw Mo Salah score a dramatic 97th-minute penalty which Beida gave after a VAR call.
      Beida was also in charge of Angola’s 3-0 win over Namibia in the Last 16, in which a player from either side was sent off inside the first half.
      Angola’s goalkeeper Neblu was red carded in the 17th-minute for handling the ball outside his area, before Namibia’s Lubeni Haukongo was given a second yellow five minutes before the break.
      An Afcon statement read: “Dahane Beida, aged 32, will be the on-pitch referee for this crucial match, marking his third appearance at this year’s TotalEnergies CAF AFCON.
      “Previously, he officiated the match between Egypt and Mozambique, which ended in a 2-2 draw during the group stage, as well as the Round of 16 clash where Angola secured a 3-0 victory over Namibia.
      “Assisting Dahane Beida will be Emiliano Dos Santos from Angola and Diana Chicotesha from Zambia, Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi will serve as the fourth official.”
      Most read in Football
      Dahane Beida shows a red to Namibia defender Lubeni HaukongoCredit: AFP
      When is Nigeria vs Ivory Coast?

      Nigeria’s big Afcon final clash with Ivory Coast will take place on Sunday, February 11.
      The game will kick off at 8pm UK time.
      Nigeria vs Ivory Coast will be played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Nigeria vs Ivory Coast will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football and BBC Three in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go app, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      The game is also available to stream for FREE from the BBC iPlayer, so long as you have a valid TV licence. More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Ivory Coast’s bonkers route to Afcon final, from sacking manager mid-tournament to dramatic last-gasp comebacks

      by

      IVORY COAST’S route to the Africa Cup of Nations final has been one of the most chaotic in the history of football.The host nation were left on the brink of elimination following a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Equatorial Guinea in the final game of their group stage.
      Sebastien Haller’s goal in the semi-final against DR Congo was enough to book a place in the finalCredit: AP
      And it sparked wild scenes of celebrationCredit: Getty
      The side have come a long way since the one that were drubbed 4-0 by Equatorial GuineaCredit: AFP
      They had limped through the group stage to that point, managing a 2-0 victory in their opener against the unfancied Guinea Bissau before losing 1-0 to Nigeria in their second match – a team that were hardly pulling up trees at the time.
      But following the 4-0 calamity against Equatorial Guinea, the Elephants became one of the only sides in history to benefit from a mid-tournament new manager bounce.
      The side removed incumbent manager Jean-Louis Gasset and replaced him with his assistant, Emerse Fae as interim head coach.
      And Fae was able to immediately benefit from Afcon’s recent expansion from a 16-team tournament to a 24 team event, seeing his side qualify for the round of 16 as one of the best performing third place group stage teams.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Fae’s first game in charge against Senegal saw Franck Kessie net a late 86th minute penalty to make it 1-1 and keep the Elephants in the tournament.
      They had trailed 1-0 for much of the game before Kessie’s strike, and then managed to hold on to win on penalties against one of the pre-tournament favourites.
      The side’s late-late show was repeated again in their quarter-final victory over Mali, when Brighton’s Simon Adingra struck a 90th minute equaliser to make it 1-1.
      Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked following the Ivory Coast’s 4-0 loss to Equatorial GuineaCredit: AFP
      He was replaced by his assistant, Emerse FaeCredit: AFP
      That was enough to force extra-time and an Oumar Diakite volley in the 122nd minute saw them win the game and advance to the semi-final.
      Most read in Football
      Those last-gasp wins have seen fans of the Ivory Coast refer to their team as “zombies” given the team’s ability to jump back to life when appearing to be dead.
      Watch Chelsea legend Didier Drogba’s wild celebrations as Ivory Coast storm into Africa Cup of Nations final
      The “zombie” team were able to reach the final in a more straight forward manner on Wednesday, beating DR Congo 1-0 courtesy of a Sebastien Haller strike.
      Chelsea legend Didier Drogba led the wild celebrations after his nation booked their spot in the last-two at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan.
      Reflecting on his side’s unlikely route to the final, Fae said: “We are happy, we’re really moved. It’s like a dream, when you go back two weeks to the defeat here against Equatorial Guinea.
      “It was hard then to imagine that we might qualify for the final of our own Afcon.”
      Kessie, who’s late goal in the round of 16 epitomises his side’s never-say-die attitude, also reflected on his side’s run after they reached the final, saying: “As long as you still have a five or 10 per cent chance you need to keep believing, because that is what makes football beautiful.
      “After the Morocco result [which saw the Ivory Coast qualify for the knockouts as a third place team] we knew we had qualified and that changed everything. It gave us the strength we needed, it boosted us. We knew we couldn’t do worse than in the first round.
      “We need to keep going like this because you can’t go all the way to the final only to then give up.”
      Kessie’s penalty against Senegal brought The Elephants back to lifeCredit: AP
      The final will see the Ivory Coast pitted against Nigeria, who beat them 1-0 in their second group stage game back in January.
      But the team that lost that match under Gasset is not the same one that has sprung back to life under Fae, and Elephants fans will be hoping for one last unlikely victory that will see them win a coveted Afcon trophy on home soil.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Looking ahead to the final with Nigeria, Fae said: “We will take stock in the next two days, we will analyse Nigeria, even though we played them in the group stage, we will see the strategy to implement for the final.”
      The Ivory Coast will take on Nigeria on Sunday at 8pm UK time. More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Astrid Wett begs fans for help to get to Ivory Coast for Afcon final after proving she’s ’19 per cent Nigerian’

      by

      ASTRID WETT has begged fans to help her attend the Africa Cup of Nations final between Ivory Coast and Nigeria. It comes after the influencer claimed she was “19 per cent Nigerian”.
      Astrid Wett pleaded with fans to help her attend the Afcon finalCredit: X / AstridWett
      It comes after she declared she was 19 per cent NigerianCredit: X / AstridWett
      She asked fans whether there was any way to get around the vaccination requirements for the countryCredit: X / AstridWett
      Astrid posted an image with a piece of paper claiming to be from AncestryCredit: X / AstridWett
      Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier this week, she said: “I want to go to the Afcon final but I don’t have the vaccinations ☹️.
      “Is there anyway around it? Apparently takes 10 days before you’re allowed to travel.”
      According to the Government website, a yellow fever certificate is required to travel to the Ivory Coast due to the risk of transmission in the country.
      This plea came after a post where Astrid claimed she was part Nigerian.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      A follow-up picture showed the Chelsea supporter wearing a Nigerian football team top and holding a Nigeria flag alongside a piece of paper apparently from genealogy company Ancestry.
      The paper in question showed a breakdown of Astrid’s ethnicity in regions.
      It showed her to be 39 per cent English, 36 per cent Welsh, 19 per cent Nigerian and three per cent German.
      She also had less than a one per cent link to Italy, Spain, Belgium and highlighted previous African Caribbean migration from her family tree.
      Most read in Football
      Astrid is a Chelsea fanCredit: Instagram @wettastrid
      She has been outspoken over the club’s poor formCredit: Instagram @wettastrid
      Astrid more than likely won’t be in attendance for Sunday’s final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
      The match kicks off at 8pm UK time and is being shown on a number of UK broadcasters, including Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football and BBC Three in the UK.
      Astrid Wett travels with the Chelsea away fans to Anfield as the Blues face Liverpool
      The game is also available to stream for FREE from the BBC iPlayer, so long as you have a valid TV licence.
      Astrid recently called for Chelsea to sack manager Mauricio Pochettino.
      Meanwhile, her attendance at another game at Stamford Bridge saw her almost hit in head by a stray shot from Liverpool ace Darwin Nunez.
      She is also a regular sight on influencer boxing shows.
      Astrid is an Onlyfans modelCredit: Instagram @wettastrid
      She is also a regular on the influencer boxing sceneCredit: PA More

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Nigeria vs Ivory Coast – Afcon 2023 final: Kick-off time, team news as hosts face Osimhen and Co in huge showpiece clash

      by

      IVORY COAST take on Nigeria in the African Cup of Nations final on Saturday.The host nation reached the final after edging out the DR Congo 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sebastien Haller.
      Sebastien Haller scored the winning goal against DR CongoCredit: AFP
      Nigeria beat South Africa to reach the finalCredit: EPA
      The former West Ham striker volleyed an unconventional strike over and past Lionel Mpasi in the second half.
      The Ivorians held out to seal the win and set up the final against Nigeria.
      They enjoyed their celebrations in the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé as Chelsea legend Didier Drogba also got involved.
      Nigeria made their own way to the last two after a tense clash with South Africa in the semi-final.
      READ MORE IN AFCON
      The Super Eagles looked to have done the job inside 90 minutes thanks to William Troost-Ekong’s penalty.
      However, extra time was forced as Teboho Mokoena also converted from the spot.
      A penalty shootout was needed to separate the sides as Nigeria scrapped though.
      The matter of the trophy will be decided at the Olympic Stadium.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Ivory Coast has had an up-and-down tournament, having lost two of their group games.
      They only qualified as one of the best third-placed teams which saw them sack manager Jean-Louis Gasset mid-tournament.
      Watch Chelsea legend Didier Drogba’s wild celebrations as Ivory Coast storm into Africa Cup of Nations final
      The nation made a loan enquiry to appoint Herve Rennard from the French women’s team.
      He did not take the role and forgotten Premier League flop Emerse Fae took on the job and has had a great impact.
      The tournament has been full of thrills throughout, as former Manchester United flop Bebe and ex-West ham star Arthur Masuaku scoring brilliant free-kicks.
      Meanwhile, Morocco star Youssef En-Nesyri had to celebrate his goal from the bench, and Yves Bissouma playing while suffering from malaria.
      Team news
      Nigeria star Victor Osimhen was passed fit to play against South Africa despite initial concerns over an abdominal injury.
      He should be fine to face Ivory Coast in the final on Saturday.
      Meanwhile Ola Aina, Moses Simon and Calvin Bassey all escaped bookings in the semi-finals and are available for selection.
      Ivory Coast will welcome back trio Serge Aurier, Odilon Kossounou and Oumar Diakite after they complete their suspensions.
      Who will be the star men?
      Sebastien Haller is playing two years on from his cancer diagnosisCredit: AP
      Victor Osimhen is one of the world’s best strikerCredit: AP
      Sebastien Haller will want to play a key role for the Ivory Coast in the final.
      The former Hammer scored the decisive goal in the semi-final to take with his first of the tournament.
      He will have some stern competition, however, as Nigeria has its own attacking talisman.
      Osimhen may have only scored once during his six appearances, but he will be keen to add to that tally.
      The Napoli striker is considered one of the most prolific in Europe and could fire Nigeria to Afcon glory on Saturday.
      What have the managers said?
      Jose Peseiro wants to lead Nigeria to glorlyCredit: AFP
      Emerse Fae was appointed midway through the tournamentCredit: AP
      Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro has always insisted that when he took the job, he had one aim, and that was to win Afcon.
      He told BBC Sport Africa: “When I signed the contract, I said I want to win the Afcon.
      “Either way, I don’t know if everybody believed or not. I have believed since the first moment.
      “We haven’t won nothing until now – we want to win the Afcon.”
      Ivory Coast manager Emerse Faé has claimed that it is a “dream” to have led the team to the final.
      He said: “We are happy, we’re really moved. It’s like a dream, when you go back two weeks to the defeat here against Equatorial Guinea.
      “It was hard then to imagine that we might qualify for the final of our own Afcon.”
      SunSport prediction
      Nigeria 1 Ivory Coast 3
      When is Nigeria vs Ivory Coast?

      Nigeria’s big Afcon final clash with Ivory Coast will take place on Sunday, January 11.
      The game will kick off at 8pm UK time.
      Nigeria vs Ivory Coast will be played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Nigeria vs Ivory Coast will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football and BBC Three in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go app, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      The game is also available to stream for FREE from the BBC iPlayer, so long as you have a valid TV licence.

      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Odds

      Nigeria – 31/20
      Draw – 19/10
      Ivory Coast – 2/1
      Nigeria to lift trophy – 3/4
      Ivory Coast to lift trophy – 2/1

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Chelsea legend Didier Drogba’s wild celebrations as Ivory Coast storm into Africa Cup of Nations final

      by

      IVORY COAST legend Didier Drogba celebrated wildly as he watched his country reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.Sebastien Haller’s second-half strike handed the Elephants a 1-0 win over DR Congo on Wednesday night.
      Didier Drogba urged the Ivory Coast fans to make more noise during the gameCredit: CAF
      He waited intently for the referee to blow the final whistleCredit: CAF
      Drogba celebrated wildly after the whistle was blownCredit: CAF
      He began dancing with other ecstatic Ivorian fans by the side of the pitchCredit: CAF
      The result sets up a meeting with Nigeria on Sunday as Ivory Coast look to win the competition for a third time in front of their own fans.
      And the scenes inside the Alassane Ouattara Stadium were a sight to behold as Drogba conducted the adoring Ivory Coast fans.
      The Chelsea icon, 45, was filmed pitchside urging the supporters to make even more noise during the game.
      Towards the end of the match, he was then seen pointing to his watch as he called for the final whistle.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      And when the referee eventually ended the match, he leapt up in excitement and punched the air.
      Drogba, who was wearing a “CAN 2023” shirt which refers to the Coupe d’Afrique des Nations, then began celebrating and dancing with those around him with infectious delight.
      And fans on social media were loving the scenes, with one saying: “True king.”
      Another added: “Die-hard fan indeed, congratulations to you and your country. You did well. Best of luck in the final.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      While a third replied: “You can’t hate this guy, so free-spirited.”
      Despite claiming four Premier League titles and the Champions League with Chelsea, Drogba never won the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.
      Prem hero Sebastien Haller seals Ivory Coast’s Afcon final spot with shock volley less than 2yrs after cancer diagnosis
      He reached two finals – in 2006 and 2012 – before coming up short against Egypt and Zambia.
      He retired from international football in 2014, before Ivory Coast lifted the trophy the following year.
      Meanwhile, the Ivorians’ current team have had a remarkable path to the final.
      After losing two of their three group games, they thought they were heading out of the tournament and so decided to sack manager Jean-Louis Gasset.
      But results went their way as they edged into the last 16, before they knocked holders Senegal out on penalties to reach the quarter-finals.
      Last-minute goals in normal time and extra time then saw them beat Mali 2-1 in a thrilling match to set up a tie with DR Congo in the last four.
      And Haller’s goal has now set up a clash with three-time winners Nigeria on Sunday after they beat South Africa on penalties. More

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans left stunned by Afcon turnaround as Osimhen scores to seal win… only for VAR to give PENALTY at the other end

      by

      NIGERIA’S semi-final clash against South Africa was turned on its head by VAR in the dying minutes of the match.Victor Osimhen thought he had doubled Nigeria’s 1-0 lead in the last five minutes – but play was brought back.
      SOUTH AFRICA EQUALISE IN THE 90TH MINUTE! 😱Nigeria have a goal disallowed after a VAR check and South Africa are awarded a penalty! pic.twitter.com/IGbjBhNK0s— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 7, 2024

      Teboho Mokoena converted a last-minute penalty to equalise for South AfricaCredit: AP
      South Africa stars celebrate the last-gasp turnaroundCredit: AFP
      Victor Osimhen thought he had sealed the win by doubling Nigeria’s leadCredit: AFP
      VAR reviewed the passage of play and after a lengthy delay decided there had been a foul on a South African player in Nigeria’s box before the Super Eagles broke free.
      Referee Amin Omar eventually blew for a penalty which was converted by Teboho Mokoena in stoppage time.
      That levelled the score and South Africa even had a chance to win it late on but Khuliso Mudau blazed over from a rebound which was easier to score.
      The match went to extra-time but Nigeria were not to be denied a place in the final, as they won the shoot-out 4-2.

      They will now face hosts Ivory Coast in Sunday night’s final after they beat DR Congo 1-0, thanks to Sebastien Haller’s second half goal.
      Osimhen had poked home from close range from a low cross for Nigeria to spark furious protests from South Africa.
      VAR then reviewed an incident involving South Africa star Percy Tau, who just pipped opponent Alhassan Yusuf to the ball before being tripped just inside the box.
      The ref was left with no option but to chalk off Osimhen’s goal before pointing to the spot in a dramatic sequence of events.
      Most read in Football
      South Africa were surprise participants in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final having not reached the last four of the competition since 2000.
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      They had goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to thank for progressing from the quarter-final as he saved an astonishing four penalties in the shoot-out win over Cape Verde.
      Fans were amazed by the latest thriller, with one saying: “Afcon moving like Eastenders.”
      William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring for Nigeria from the penalty spotCredit: AFP
      Fans left devastated as ‘breathtaking’ Afcon Goal of the Tournament contender disallowed and say ‘if only…’ More