Africa Cup of Nations Final: Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Odds

African Powerhouses Meet in AFCON Final

Ivory Coast Dreaming of Victory in Front of Home Crowd

In one of the most entertaining versions of the Africa Cup of Nations, there have been some major upsets and wild matches. Ivory Coast looked down and out after replacing their coach midway through the tournament.

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Still, the hosts have regrouped and used their home fans’ energy to advance to the final. On Sunday, Les Elephants will take on African powerhouses Nigeria in a group stage rematch. Ahead of the match, we’ll preview the Nigeria vs Ivory Coast odds.

⚽ Nigeria vs Ivory Coast ⚽

Day/Time:
Location: Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé, Ebimpé, Ivory Coast

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Head-to-Head

These two sides met on the second matchday of the group stage. A penalty from Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong sealed a 1-0 victory for the Super Eagles. Although, Ivory Coast did have better spells of possession and outshot Nigeria. The pregame Nigeria vs Ivory Coast odds listed Nigeria as +285 underdogs.

It was the first meeting since a 2015 friendly, which Ivory Coast won 1-0. Nigeria have won the last two meetings at the Africa Cup of Nations and this is the first matchup between Les Elephants and the Super Eagles in the final. The all-time series is tied at nine, with ten draws.

Nwabali Shining for Nigeria

Nigeria have gone five AFCON games in a row without conceding from open play. Their goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has been a revelation and has been the tournament’s best shot stopper.

Nwabali has saved over 93 percent of the shots he has faced during the tournament and was Nigeria’s hero in the Semifinal. Nigeria took on South Africa and Victor Osimhen won a second half penalty which William Troost-Ekong converted.

With Nigeria up 1-0, they looked to have doubled their lead in the 90th minute. Osimhen put in a tap in but it was called back for a foul in the build up. Incredibly, it led to a South Africa penalty, as the foul in question was in Nigeria’s penalty box.

Teboho Mokoena converted to equalize and send the match into extra time. Neither team found a breakthrough in the 30 minutes of extra time and Nwabali saved two shots in extra time as Nigeria advanced to their eighth Africa Cup of Nations final.

The three-time champions last won the tournament in 2013 and have a solid shot to triumph on Sunday. The AFCON odds price the Super Eagles at -120 to lift the trophy. While Osimhen has only scored one goal during AFCON, he proved to be a constant threat vs South Africa.

Heading into the final, Ademola Lookman leads Nigeria with three goals but they’ve only averaged 1.17 goals per game. Meanwhile, they’ve conceded just two goals in six games.

Ivory Coast’s Dramatic Run to the Final

Ivory Coast remain unbeaten under caretaker manager Emerse Fae, who took over the side just before the knockout stage. The hosts, who didn’t need to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification, opened up the tournament just 1-2 and they looked like they’d be headed for an early exit.

Then, Les Elephants went on a galvanizing run to the final. They took down defending champions Senegal in penalties in the round of 16 and also played an extra time match in the Quarter-Final.

In their match vs Mali, Ivory Coast fell behind but Simon Adingra equalized in the 90th minute. Then, Les Elephants scored in extra time stoppage time for a dramatic win. In Wednesday’s Semifinal vs DR Congo, Sebastien Haller scored the game’s only goal on a volley driven into the ground.

The Borussia Dortmund man had a ton of chances in the match and the big target man could cause Nigeria some problems.

The power of playing in front of home fans should not be underestimated and Ivory Coast have fed off of the energy. No Ivory Coast player has scored more than one goal at AFCON but players have stepped up when it mattered most.

Since conceding five goals in the group stage, Les Elephants have conceded just twice in three knockout stage games.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Match Analysis & Odds

Given how AFCON has gone so far, anything can happen on Sunday. These two sides match up well on paper and their group stage match was a highly competitive affair.

Ivory Coast have scored just six goals in six matches, while Nigeria have only found the net one more time than Les Elephants. Nine of the last 11 AFCON finals have finished scoreless or 1-0 and this could be another low scoring match.

The Nigeria vs Ivory Coast odds price under two goals at -140 odds for Sunday’s final. Meanwhile, Nigeria are slight moneyline favorites, at +180. Interestingly enough, a draw is considered more likely than either side winning in 90 minutes. A draw sits at +175 odds, while Ivory Coast are +205 underdogs.

In this pick’em bettors can take Nigeria pk at -135 odds. The Super Eagles are yet to lose a match at this tournament and have only lost once in their last 14 games. Osimhen is a big game player and he could prove to be the difference in this one.

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast pk comes in at +105 odds. Both teams have already won a match in penalties and it wouldn’t be a surprise if this match is decided by the same fate. Nigeria are -120 favorites to lift their fourth AFCON trophy, while Ivory Coast are -110 underdogs.

For soccer betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.


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