Nigeria vs Ivory Coast: Analysing their all-time head-to-head record ahead of their AFCON final

Ivory Coast take on Nigeria in the AFCON 2023 final on 11 February 2024, bringing the curtain down on a tournament that has served the world with joy, drama, and spectacular scenes. So, who will walk away with the title on Sunday? Here is all you need to know about the Nigeria vs Ivory Coast final and what to expect.

After facing off in their Group A fixture, the two teams meet for the second time. With the atmosphere building up and fans worldwide preparing to witness history, we break down everything about the highly-anticipated battle, the predictions, and how to watch it from your location.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast preview

The Super Eagles overcame South Africa 4-2 on penalties in a nail-biting semi-final, while hosts Ivory Coast beat DR Congo 1-0 to set up a West African final. The Super Eagles head to the final as one of the tournament's favourites, riding on top stars like Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, and skipper William Troost-Ekong.

Senegal vs Ivory Coast: Super Eagles Legend Reacts After Host Nation Knocked Defending Champions Out of AFCON 2023

Football

The Elephants of Ivory Coast have a crowd advantage and a spirited team that has turned the table around after narrowly escaping elimination in the group stages.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast date and time

The AFCON 2023 final will be on 11 February 2024 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The match kicks off at 8 pm GMT.

Where to watch Nigeria vs Ivory Coast

The final will be broadcast in Africa and across the globe on various platforms. Sources also indicate that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) aims to make it accessible on free-to-air TV across Africa. Here is a breakdown of how and where to watch Nigeria vs Ivory Coast live.

AFCON 2023 Quarterfinals: Preview and Schedule of South Africa, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast’s Matches

Football

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast lineups

The hosts welcome back Oumar Diakite and Odilon Kossounou ahead of the showdown after both served one-match suspensions in the semi-final. Nigeria will meanwhile hope skipper William Troost-Ekong and star striker Victor Osimhen keep fit after experiencing fitness concerns. Here is how the teams could line up.

Predicted Super Eagles lineup

Nwabili, Ajayi, Bassey, Troost-Ekong, Osayi-Samuel, Onyeka, Iwobi, Sanusi, Simon, Osimhen, Lookman

Predicted Ivory Coast lineup

Fofana, Singo, N'Dicko, Kossounou, Konan, Kessie, Seri, Fofana, Gradel, Haller, Pepe

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast coaches, what they said

Nigerian tactician Jose Peseiro is a Portuguese with nearly three decades of experience in football management. He has coached several teams, including Sporting Lisbon, Porto, and Braga, and was an assistant at Real Madrid. Jose also managed Al Ahly, Al Hilal, Al-Wahda FC, and Sharjah FC, winning multiple titles.

"The players deserve to be in the finals, it's a very good victory against a good team," said Nigerian coach Jose Peseiro.

AFCON 2023: Ex Bafana Bafana captain backs Super Eagles to win tournament

Football

Côte d'Ivoire is under interim head coach Emerse Fae following the sacking of manager Jean-Louis Gasset after the group matches. Fae's appointment dramatically changed the fortunes of the host nation, which was on the brink of elimination. Although he has less experience than Jose Peseiro, his trump card will be the team's spirit.

"We are happy, we're really moved," Fae said. "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."

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast head-to-head record

Is Ivory Coast better than Nigeria? According to 11v11.com stats, the two teams have met 28 times before the Sunday showdown. Both have won nine times, with ten games ending in a draw.

From Elijah Adebayo, to Michael Olise, Players of Nigerian Descent Put On a Show in Premier League

Football

The nations first met in an Africa Cup of Nations Group C match in Lagos on 19 March 1967, which ended 0-0. The last meeting between the two sides was on 18 January 2024 in their AFCON Group A fixture, which the Super Eagles won 1-0.

The Nigeria vs Ivory Coast group stage result marked the first time the Elephants lost against the African giant on home soil. One of the most memorable moments in the fixture was when the Super Eagles beat Côte d'Ivoire 2-1 in the AFCON 2013 quarter-finals in Johannesburg, South Africa, to advance to the semis and later win the title.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast achievements

The two nations have enjoyed remarkable success in football, from winning trophies to producing some of the best footballers on earth. Here is a breakdown of what the countries have achieved in soccer.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast trophies

AFCON 2023; Troost Ekong backs Super Eagles to defeat Angola in quarterfinal tie

Football

The Super Eagles have won more titles than their Sunday hosts. Nigeria is the most prosperous nation in the FIFA U17 World Cup with five titles and also bagged the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Regarding Nigeria vs Ivory Coast AFCON wins, the Super Eagles are the fourth most successful nation with three titles (1980, 1994, 2013). The Elephants are joint-fifth with two trophies (1992, 2015), alongside Algeria and DR Congo.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast legends

The two countries have produced world-class footballers who have made an indelible mark on football and are often considered sports legends. Here is a list of famous names from the two West African nations.

Nigerian legends

• Jay Jay Okocha
• Rashidi Yekini
• Nwankwo Kanu
• Stephen Keshi
• John Obi Mikel
• Sunday Oliseh
• Taribo West

Côte d'Ivoire legends

• Didier Drogba
• Yaya Toure
• Kolo Toure
• Didier Zokora
• Youssouf Fofana
• Salomon Kalou
• Ibrahima Bakayoko

AFCON 2023: South Africa hero Williams looking forward to face Osimhen next

Football

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast prediction

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast stats and achievements show that the Super Eagles are more successful than Côte d'Ivoire, but their head-to-head record suggests they are equal. Nigeria heads into the final as favourites, having won their first encounter and boasting some of the best footballers.

The Elephants on their side have a home advantage and a score to settle with their rivals. A win will earn them their third title and level with Nigeria.

Frequently asked questions

Côte d'Ivoire and the Super Eagles prepare for what will be an epic battle for not only the title but prestige. As D-Day nears, many questions continue rising, with fans eager to know more about the clash. We sample some of them below.

Which countries are playing AFCON Finals 2024?

Hosts Ivory Coast will play Nigeria in the much-awaited AFCON final on 11 February 2024.

Where is the Nigeria vs Ivory Coast location?

Ivory Coast vs DR Congo AFCON 2023 Semi Finals Predictions, Picks and Preview: Team News, Form Guide

Football

The two teams meet at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Is Côte d'Ivoire better than Nigeria?

The two nations are historically equal in head-to-head record, but the Super Eagles are ahead in trophies and producing top football talents.

How many times has Nigeria won Ivory Coast?

The Super Eagles have defeated the Ivorians nine times since their first meeting in 1967. The Elephants have also won nine times, with ten games ending in a draw.

Final word

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast 2024 final will kick off a day after the third-place playoff between DR Congo and South Africa on 10 February at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Will Côte d'Ivoire's resurgence culminate with the coveted trophy, or will Victor Osimhen lead his nation to glory?

READ MORE: Nigeria vs Ghana head-to-head: Which is the better country at football

Sports Brief covered the history of the famous Jollof derby, featuring Nigeria and Ghana. The fixture has produced some of Africa's most spectacular and enthralling football battles. Follow the above link to understand more about the rivalry and the most successful team in the fixture.