AFCON 2023 Day 19 Reviews: West African final showdown as Elephants get set to battle Super Eagles on home turf

(Made in Africa Sport) – The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire have totally reversed their underwhelming start to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 with an impressive knockout run that has seen them through to the finals. The Ivorians secured an adequate 1 – 0 victory over the Leopards of DR Congo in their semifinal game on Wednesday to secure the opposite spot at the Alassane Ouattara stadium on Sunday, 11 February 2024, after the Super Eagles of Nigeria emerged victorious over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa earlier on Wednesday.

To put the Ivorians’ feat in perspective, you would have to go back to the 2006 AFCON to find the last host to make it to the finals of the tournament. The Pharaohs of Egypt were crowned champions on home soil in 2006, defeating Cote d’Ivoire on penalties to lift their sixth AFCON trophy, and the Ivorians could be set for a similar feat this time. The hosts endured an embarrassing show in the group stages, and the reshuffling of the coaching staff just before the knockouts started has proven to be an excellent move in hindsight. 

Emerse Fae has managed to guide his team through some tumultuous AFCON knockout rounds, edging off defending champions Senegal, Mali, and DR Congo, and a caretaker appointment is starting to look permanent for the 40-year-old. 

The Ivorians put in a great performance against DR Congo, as they matched the energetic Leopards with a resilience that has kept them on the path to glory in the AFCON 2023. The Congolese scored in the ninth minute, but goalie Yahia Fofana had been fouled in the process and it didn’t stand. They came calling twenty minutes later, but Yoane Wissa missed a golden one-on-one chance to put the Leopards ahead after a weighted pass found the winger in some space in the Ivorian box. 

Franck Kessie went closest in the first half for the Ivorians, as the midfielder could only send his left-footed shot against the left upright. He resumed with similar energy in the second half, forcing Lionel Mpasi into a flying save to keep the scores intact and level. The scales soon tipped, however, as a lofted pass from Max Gradel fell kindly for Sebastien Haller in the 65th minute. The striker applied the right technique to send the ball into the top right corner after bouncing off the turf. Mpasi was well beaten with that strike, as the goalie dived helplessly while the ball looped into the net.

Haller tried to double his tally in the 71st minute, as he looked to profit from a defensive error by attempting another lob with Mpasi well off his line, but the ball bounced agonisingly wide of the mark. The match quickly ran down from then, as the Elephants were only too happy to settle for a 1 – 0 lead against the tiring Leopards.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria put out a strong defensive showing to make up for their underwhelming midfield, as they managed to brush past the wasteful Bafana Bafana to secure the first spot in the AFCON 2023 finals. The Nigerians have struck as a composed set-up for most of the competition, but their first half against the South Africans was quite underwhelming, as it was thanks to goalie Stanley Nwabali and a lack of clinical finishing from the Bafana Bafana that kept the scores level at half-time.

By the second half, the Super Eagles seemed a different side, sporting their usual press once again. They got their reward in the 67th minute too, as captain William Troost-Ekong converted from the spot yet again after forward Victor Osimhen had been fouled in the box. The late stages presented a twist in fortunes, however, as Osimhen’s tap-in was chalked off for a foul in the build-up and the South Africans got a penalty at the other end.

Teboho Mokoena levelled matters with his 90th-minute spot-kick after sending Nwabali the wrong way, and the Bafana Bafana kept the press for a quick second. That was not to be, though, as Percy Tau missed a sitter in stoppage time and the game progressed to extra time. The Nigerians fought the good fight, but the South Africans looked happy to see the game to a penalty shoot-out in light of Ronwen Williams’ heroics against Cape Verde in the quarter finals.

Apparently, it was the Super Eagles’ turn for shoot-out heroics, as they won 4 – 2 on penalties. Keeper Nwabali saved twice from the South Africans to place the Nigerians in the last lap in the race for continental glory. The stands erupted following Kelechi Iheanacho’s penalty kick, as Nigerian fans celebrated their eighth win over the South Africans as well as a first AFCON final since 2013.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗘. 😮‍💨

🇳🇬 Nigeria 🆚 Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮

We’re finally at the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 final stop! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dk3AtUoXh2

— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 7, 2024

It could all fall in place for the Super Eagles, as they end their 11-year wait for the AFCON title. Likewise, the Ivorians could take the glory on home soil, having shown unrivalled determination throughout the elimination stages. The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 is down to two West African giants; who will reign for the next two years?

The deciding fixture is on Sunday, 11 February 2024, by 9 p.m.; don’t miss it!