[ad_1]
The AFCON Nations Cup is full of high-level soccer drama.
And look no further than the paths Nigeria and hosts Ivory Coast took to reach Sunday’s final.
Nigeria advanced to the final with a chaotic victory over South Africa in the semi-finals, which included a VAR reverse goal, two penalty goals (including a 90th-minute equalizer by South Africa), a red card, and ultimately a penalty shootout. did.
Ivory Coast defeated the Democratic Republic of the Congo 1-0 in the semi-finals to reach the final, albeit without much drama. However, it took some work/confusion to get to that point. Ivory Coast’s quarter-final opponent Mali probably thought they would advance to the semi-finals, but were twice thwarted by the Elephants. Leading 1-0 in the closing stages, Mali came close to upsetting the hosts and advancing after Ivory Coast were down by one player with a red card. Instead, Ivory Coast equalized in the 90th minute, forcing extra time and a second player was given a red card, but scored in stoppage time to win 2-1.
Nigeria and Ivory Coast met for the second time in the AFCON Cup of Nations tournament, with the Super Eagles winning 1-0 in the group stage match.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the 2024 AFCON Nations Cup Final.
What time is the AFCON final in 2024?
The AFCON Nations Cup final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast will kick off at 3pm ET.
How can I watch the AFCON finals?
The AFCON Nations Cup final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast will be available to watch on beIN SPORTS in the United States (game coverage begins at 2:50 p.m. ET). Streaming is available on beIN SPORTS and fuboTV.
Where will the AFCON finals be held?
Alassane Ouattara Stadium, also known as the Olympic Stadium in Ebinpe, is a 60,000-seat stadium that is the home venue of the Ivory Coast national team.
This is actually the 2023 edition of the AFCON Nations Cup
The 2023 Games have been postponed to 2024 due to concerns about bad weather in host country Ivory Coast.
What you need to know about Nigeria
Nigeria have won the AFCON Nations Cup three times, but more than a decade has passed since the last time the Super Eagles won (2013).
Nigeria have recently become regulars at the FIFA World Cup, appearing in six of the past eight (although they missed out on qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar). Nigeria have reached the last 16 of the World Cup three times (1994, 1998 and 2014), the most they have ever reached the tournament.
Players to watch: Ademola Lookman, a winger who plays professionally for Italian Serie A club Atalanta, has scored three goals in this year’s AFCON Nations Cup. Forward Victor Osimhen, who plays for Napoli in Serie A, also brings attacking power to the Super Eagles.
What you need to know about Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast have won the AFCON Nations Cup twice (1992 and 2015) and qualified for the FIFA World Cup three times (2006, 2010 and 2014), but have never made it past the group stage. do not have.
Players to watch: Sebastien Haller, a professional striker for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga, scored the only goal in Ivory Coast’s semi-final victory. Central midfielder Franck Yannick Kessie currently plays for Al Ahly in the Saudi Professional League, but spent the 2022-23 season with iconic Spanish La Liga club FC Barcelona.
[ad_2]
Source link
