Nigeria Vrs Cote D’Ivoire: Who Wins The 2023 AFCON Trophy

The curtain on the 2023 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nation (2023 AFCON) which kicked off on January 13, 2024 will be drawn down tonight February 11, 2024 at the Alassne Ouattara Stadium Olypique Stadium in Abidjan as the host Nation which survived early elimination from the tournament is now on the verge of glory.

When these powerhouses last met in the group stage, Nigeria secured a narrow 1-0 win. However, Côte d’Ivoire will be fighting for redemption on home soil in tonight’s final.

This years edition of the tournament has been described by football pundits as the best in the history of the continetal football festival.

A total of 116 goals, an average of 2.32 goals per match have been scored in the tournament.

Even though Equitoria Guinea exited the tournament at the one-sixteeth stage, its defender cum striker, Emilio Nsue still leads the chart as the top goal scorer of the tournament with five goals, Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman who has three goals will be looking forward to scoring some more goals in the final match against host tonight.

In addition to the gripping spectacle, this year’s AFCON has featured several noteworthy events. Bouchra Karboubi, an international referee from North Africa, has captured the attention of football fans as the first North African woman to officiate in the tournament. Following in the footsteps of Rwandan referee Salima Mukansenga, Bouchra has made history by officiating one of the largest competitions in Africa.

She also become the first Arab female referee in the AFCON. Expressing her happiness and pride in representing Moroccan and Arab women, the 36-year-old referee, who also serves as a police officer, credits her regular job for enhancing her skills as a referee.

Bouchra commends CAF for their efforts in promoting women referees in such prestigious competitions.

South Africa’s goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, has also left a lasting impression on the minds of AFCON fans.

With four penalty saves in the team’s match against Cape Verde and leading the team as captain, Williams played a crucial role in their journey to the semi-finals.

The final will be televised in 173 territories globally, making it by far the most watched AFCON in the history of the competition.

For the first time, more than 33 cameras will be used for the Final.

The closing ceremony featured some global music stars.

Some of the broadcasters: BeIN, Canal+, SuperSport, New World TV, Sky Sport, BBC, Ziggo, OKKO, Sport Digital, ViaPlay, Sport Italia, A1, Sport TV Portugal, LaLiga+, Sport Klub, SABC, Azam Media, AfroSport, Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, SNRT, FanCode, BandTV.

Cote d’Ivoire is targeting a third title after 1992 and 2015 whilst Nigeria is chasing a fourth after 1980, 1994 and 2013 glories.