Nigeria vs Côte d’Ivoire Prediction: There is an upset on the cards

It feels like Deja vu seeing these two teams on the fixture list again. Both sides were in group A at the start of the tournament, and have successfully navigated the knockout stages to find themselves in the final of this year’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations. 

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3 Way – Nigeria 31/20

Nigeria has been the team to beat this tournament. In true champion’s style, they failed to win their opening game. This however was a precursor to what would be a memorable run for Nigeria in AFCON. They had only conceded one goal the entire tournament by the time they faced South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in the Semi-finals. They are the odds-on favourites to win this match and lift the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Trophy on Sunday.  

Their opponents have come a long way since losing to Nigeria in their Group A clash. They are a team reborn, and many would have never expected them to make it this far in the tournament after their rocky start. Two losses in the group stages would lead them to finish third in Group A behind Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.

After making it through by being the 4th best third placed team in the group stages. They knocked out the reigning champions, Senegal, on penalties. They saw off Mali and DR Congo in the games that followed. Will they continue to defy the odds and by picking up a win against Nigeria? Only time will tell. 

Home Team Clean Sheet – Yes 4/3 

Nigeria’s defense has been excellent at this year’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is on his way to picking up the golden boot ahead of South Africa’s Ronwen Williams. Stanley was outstanding against Bafana Bafana in the Semi Finals. He made 4 saves in open play to ensure his team was in the contest till the end. He will prove to be a pivotal player in this final against Côte d’Ivoire. The odds on him keeping a clean sheet are 4/3. 

Anytime Goal Scorer – Victor Osimhen 41/20

This match has two proven goal scorers on display, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and the Ivory Coast’s Sebastian Haller. They are both unplayable at times but, in the final, great strikers tend to fade away. Victor Osimhen has been phenomenal in recent matches. His display against South Africa in the Semi finals summed up how crucial he has been for the Nigerians. I am of the perspective that his goal will be the decider in this match. The odds on him scoring a goal at any time in this match are set at 41/20.