AFCON 2023: Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Head to Head Record Ahead of Epic Final

• Nigeria and Ivory Coast have come up against each other a couple of times
• Their most recent meeting was in the group stages of the 2023 AFCON
• The two teams are scheduled to face off in the final of the continental cup

Nigeria are scheduled to play hosts Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The two African football powerhouses booked a place in the final of the continental showpiece after winning their respective semi-final fixtures.

Nigeria qualified for the tournament's final round after seeing off South Africa in the semis on Wednesday night.

The match had to be decided via a penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1 during regulation time, with the Super Eagles emerging as the victors.

Holders Senegal remain team to beat after spectacular AFCON group stage

Football

Nigeria took the lead via William Troost-Ekong, who stepped up to convert a penalty won, only for South Africa to restore parity at stoppage time through Teboho Mokoena.

Ivory Coast progressed to the final after seeing off DR Congo in their semi-final fixture.

The hosts stunned their opponents 1-0, with Sebastien Haller netting the all-important goal that helped them set up a crunch date with Nigeria in the final.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast head-to-head record

This would not be the first time the two heavyweights are meeting.

The two teams were in the same pool in the group stages, with Nigeria finishing second ahead of Ivory Coast, who went on to progress as one of the best third-placed countries in the expanded format of the tournament.

Their group stage meeting ended in a 1-0 win for the Super Eagles, with Troost-Ekong scoring the crucial goal from the penalty spot.

AFCON 2023: Nigeria vs Cameroon Preview, Head to Head, Predictions, and Possible Lineups

Football

According to the BBC, this was Ivory Coast's first-ever home defeat against Nigeria.

11v11.com records that the two teams have played each other 28 times, with their first meeting coming in March 1967 in the AFCON. The match ended in a goalless draw.

Of the 28 times they have met, there is nothing much to separate the teams, with both winning times each, as 10 other matches ended in draws.

One of the most memorable moments for Nigeria during meetings was in 2013 when they beat the Elephants 2-1 in the semi-finals on their way to glory.

Meanwhile, the José Peseiro-tutored side will be hoping to win the continental showpiece for the fourth time on Sunday during the final, having previously won it on three occasions.

On their part, Ivory Coast have won the tournament two times, with their most recent triumph coming in 2015.

Osimhen narrates his hospital ordeal

Lookman double takes Nigeria past Cameroon and into AFCON quarters

Football

In another report, Sports Brief stated that Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen recounted his ordeal at the hospital ahead of the semi-final clash against South Africa.

The 25-year-old had been diagnosed with an abdominal problem in the lead-up to the pulsating encounter.

However, the Napoli forward shook off the pain and helped his nation secure a spot in the final of the tournament.