Could Victor Osimhen emerge as the decisive player? Should we anticipate a penalty shootout?

The Africa Cup of Nations final is set to take place on Sunday, with hosts Ivory Coast facing off against Nigeria at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan. This year’s tournament has been filled with excitement, drama, and incredible storylines, making it one of the greatest editions of all time.

The two nations previously met in the group stages, with Nigeria emerging as 1-0 victors thanks to a penalty from captain William Troost-Ekong. Now, the question is whether Nigeria can secure their fourth title or if Ivory Coast will complete a sensational turnaround to claim the trophy.

Key players to watch in the final include Victor Osimhen for Nigeria. Osimhen, who led Napoli to their first Serie A title last season, has struggled to find the back of the net in the tournament but will be eager to make an impact in the final. Other players, such as Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi, have stepped up for Nigeria in terms of goal-scoring.

For Ivory Coast, Sebastien Haller has been a standout performer. After overcoming testicular cancer and an ankle injury, Haller has made a remarkable comeback and scored crucial goals for his team. Another player to watch is Simon Adingra, who has impressed since returning from injury and scored a stoppage-time equalizer in the quarter-final.

Penalties have become a common occurrence in AFCON finals, with six out of the previous 12 finals being decided by a shoot-out. Both Ivory Coast and Nigeria have already won shoot-outs in this year’s tournament, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the final goes to penalties as well.

In terms of head-to-head record, Nigeria has the upper hand with three victories to Ivory Coast’s two in AFCON meetings. Nigeria has also won the last three editions of the tournament when facing Ivory Coast. However, Ivory Coast famously defeated Ghana in a penalty shoot-out in the 2015 final.

The head coaches of the two teams, Jose Peseiro for Nigeria and Emerse Fae for Ivory Coast, have played crucial roles in their teams’ success. Peseiro has turned Nigeria into a tough team to beat, while Fae has guided Ivory Coast to the final after taking over as head coach midway through the tournament.

For Fae, this journey has been particularly remarkable, as he went from being an assistant coach to potentially becoming an AFCON-winning head coach in just his fourth game in charge. Having retired from professional football due to injury, Fae has been given another shot at glory and is determined to seize it.

Overall, the stage is set for an enthralling final between Ivory Coast and Nigeria. With key players, the possibility of penalties, and the storylines surrounding the coaches, this final promises to be a memorable one.