Key situations
Jonathan Wilson’s closing preview
Staff news
Nigeria make two changes from the semi-final against South Africa. Zaidu Sanusi replaces Bright Samuel at wing-again and Samuel Chukwueze arrives in for Moses Simon on the right wing.
Ivory Coast also make two variations. The captain Serge Aurier and Odilon Kossounou change Wilfried Singo and Willy Boly in defence.
Nigeria (3-4-3) Nwabali Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey Aina, Onyeka, Iwobi, Zaidu Chukwueze, Osimhen, Lookman.
Substitutes: Uzoho, Yusuf, Musa, Aribo, Samuel, Iheanacho, Simon, Onuachu, Awaziem, Omeruo, Moffi, Nwadike.
Ivory Coastline (4-3-3) Y Fofana Aurier, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan Kessie, Seri, S Fofana Gradel, Haller, Adingra.
Substitutes: Diomande, Singo, Bamba, Krasso, Boga, Diakite, I Sangare, Pepe, Kouame, B Sangare, Diallo, Lazare.
Referee Dahane Beida (Mauritius).
Preamble
Hello there and welcome to reside coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations final in between Nigeria and Ivory Coastline in Abidjan. 20-five times ago, in the 87th moment of his side’s closing group game, Zambia’s Barbra Banda whistled a mounting generate from 25 yards that was substantially tipped above the bar by the Morocco keeper Bono. Experienced it gone in, Zambia would have experienced as one of the greatest third-placed groups and the hosts Ivory Coastline – who experienced previously sacked their manager Jean-Louis Gasset – would have absent out in disgrace.
As an alternative they sneaked by way of to the knockout levels, the place they dodged numerous bullets in opposition to Senegal and Mali ahead of beating DR Congo in the semi-finals. Now they, and their caretaker supervisor Emerse Fae, are one sport absent from a peculiarly glorious triumph.
During the tournament Ivory Coast have been behind for 194 minutes, which includes 35 in a group-phase defeat to tonight’s opponents, and in advance for 115. Nigeria have been ahead for 225 and behind for only 2 – but they had an almighty escape of their possess when South Africa’s Khuliso Mudau skipped an damage-time sitter to win the semi-ultimate.
So, whose future is it in any case? We’re about to come across out. Either Nigeria will sign up for Ghana on four titles, driving only Egypt and Cameroon, or Ivory Coastline will be part of Nigeria on a few.
Kick off 8pm.