How Many AFCON Finals Have Nigeria Reached? A Complete History Ahead of Ivory Coast Match

• Nigeria will play in their 8th AFCON final against Ivory Coast
• The Super Eagles have only won the competition three times
• Nigeria played their first-ever final in 1980 and lifted the title

The final of the 34th AFCION edition is set. Nigeria will play hosts Ivory Coast on Sunday, February, in what promises to be a nail-biter.

The Super Eagles are in the final for the first time since 2013 after beating South Africa in the semi-final on penalties.

They will be looking to match the tally of their bitter rivals Ghana on Sunday. Can they lift a fourth?

Nigeria made their AFCON debut in 1963 but failed to qualify for the next 13 years. Over the years, they built their team until they lifted their first AFCON title in 1980.

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Since then, things have gotten slightly better for Nigeria. They have continued to produce world beaters, but some feel they have underachieved.

On Wednesday against South Africa, they participated in their 16th AFCON semi-final, a record they now share with seven-time champions Egypt. But how have they fared in the finals over the years?

Nigeria at AFCON finals

The 2023 final will be Nigeria's 8th in the tournament.

1980 AFCON final - Nigeria vs Algeria

Nigeria's first-ever appearance in the AFCON finals saw them lift their first title. They beat Algeria 3-0, with Segun Odegbami scoring a first-half brace and Mudashiru Lawal's goal in the second half securing the victory.

1984 AFCON final - Nigeria vs Cameroon

The Super Eagles bitter rivalry with Cameroon probably started at the 1984 tournament. The Indomitable Lions were giants then with a star-studded squad led by Roger Milla, Joseph-Antoine Bell, and Theophile Abega, per BBC. Cameroon beat Nigeria 3-1 in the final with goals from Rene N’Djeya, Theophile Abega, and Ernest Ebongue after Nigeria had opened the scoring through Mudashiru Lawal.

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1988 AFCON final - Nigeria vs Cameroon

The Super Eagles and the Indomitable Lions renewed their rivalry at the 1988 AFCON. Nigeria lost again, this time 1-0 to their neighbours in Morocco. The two sides had faced each other in the group stage, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Emmanuel Kunde's penalty in the second half was enough to inflict another painful defeat on Nigeria.

1990 AFCON final - Nigeria vs Algeria

Nigeria's losing streak continued at the 1990 AFCON final held in Algeria. The North Africans had hammered the Super Eagles 5-1 earlier at the tournament. Cherif Oudjani's goal was enough for Algeria to lift their first AFCON title in front of their supporters.

1994 AFCON final - Nigeria vs Zambia

Nigeria's golden generation dominated the 1990s. They won their second AFCON title in 1996 before winning the gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics. In the 1994 AFCON final, they faced Zambia and won 2-1 courtesy of Emmanuel Amuneke's brace. Elijah Litana had given the Chipolopolo the lead early in the first half.

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2000 AFCON final - Nigeria vs Cameroon

Cameroon came back to haunt Nigeria again in 2000 in front of their home crowd. The two nations were the most talented teams in the tournament. The talent on both teams was ridiculous. Players like Taribo West, Celestine Babayaro, Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Samuel Eto’o, and Patrick M’Boma played in the final.

Eto’o and M'Boma gave Cameroon a 2-0 lead in the first half before Raphael Chukwu and Jay-Jay Okocha levelled proceedings. The game ended 2-2, but Cameroon won 4-3 in the penalty shootout. Kanu and Victor Ikpeba missed their attempts, per Afrik Foot. Nigeria eliminated Cameroon from the 2019 and 2023 AFCON.

2013 AFCON final - Nigeria vs Burkina Faso

Nigeria had not won the title since 1994, which, considering a pedigree, was underwhelming. They had to wait 19 years to win their third AFCON title. In the final, they defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 thanks to Sunday Mba's goal in the first half.

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Jose Peseiro's side will look to win their fourth crown on Sunday, February 11.

Best AFCON finals

Sports Brief earlier reported on the best AFCON finals of all time ahead of Nigeria vs Ivory Coast.

The 2021 AFCON final makes the list because it was the showdown between Senegal's Sadio Mane and Egypt's Mohamed Salah, who both played for Liverpool then.

The 2012 AFCON final between Zambia and Ivory Coast is also unforgettable. Nigeria vs Cameroon in 2000 is also a classic.