AFCON 2023: Franck Kessie Wants Revenge Against Super Eagles Ahead of Final

• Ivory Coast's Franck Kessi seeks revenge against Nigeria
• The Elephants face Nigeria in the AFCON final on Sunday
• Nigeria defeated the AFCON hosts 1-0 in the group stages

Franck Kessie hopes lightening does not strike twice as Ivory Coast prepares to face the Super Eagles in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, February 11.

Both teams will meet for the second time in the competition at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, after their first encounter in the group phase ended 1-0 in favour of the Super Eagles.

According to All Nigeria Soccer, Kessie is aware of the threat posed by the Super Eagles and has called for calm ahead of the final set to be played in front of 60,000 supporters.

"We all know Nigeria is a very great football nation and a very good team. We were in the same group and we lost 1-0 unfortunately but we still have a match on Sunday so as I emphasized it earlier today we are going to remain calm.

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"We are going to savour our victory, and from tomorrow, with the help of the technical staff, we will work, and we will think about the final."

Ivory Coast, who qualified for the final after knockout victories against Senegal, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are bidding to win the AFCON for the third time in their history.

Omeruo expects tough Ivory Coast battle

Meanwhile, Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo is looking forward to a difficult game against Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, February 11, Complete Sports reports.

The defender, aiming to win the AFCON for the second time with Nigeria, reckons that Sunday’s final will be an important match for the Ivorians following their earlier loss to the Super Eagles.

Omeruo noted that Ivory Coast will have revenge on their minds, and they will also have the backing of the 60,000 supporters present in the Alassane Ouattara Stadium to cheer them on.

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How Ivory Coast escaped elimination

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ivory Coast were on the verge of getting eliminated from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the group phase after winning just one out of three games.

The Elephants have strolled their way into the final of the tournament after picking up in the knockout phase with victories over defending champions Senegal, Mali, and DR Congo.

Ivory Coast will tackle the Super Eagles in the AFCON final on Sunday, a repeat of their Group A encounter, which Nigeria edged 1-0 thanks to William Troost-Ekong's second-half penalty.