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The Alssane Ouatarra Stadium in Abidjan will play venue to the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and tournament hosts Ivory Coast.
Both teams initially featuring in the same group have traversed the difficulties of the knockout stages to take on each other in the AFCON final.
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Jose Peseiro’s side are the most successful of both parties in terms of tournament success taking it on three occasions (one more that their rivals).
Nigeria marks her 8th AFCON final appearance in this edition. The previous seven featured 3 wins and 4 losses. Should a repeat of the latter happen, the nation will tie Ghana with the most AFCON final losses (5).
Over the 20 campaigns, here’s how the Super Eagles have performed in the tournament’s most revered stage.
ALSO READ: AFCON: Nations who have hosted and won the title on home soil
1980
Nigeria’s first ever Africa Cup of Nations title came in front of fans at the Lagos National stadium.
A brace from former Shooting Stars forward Segun Odegbami and Muda Lawal put the Eagles ahead in a very convincing final performance.
1984
Defeating Egypt 8-7 after penalties in the semi-final set Nigeria up for a final affair against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
Mudashiru Lawal opened the scoring in the 10th minute for Nigeria. René N’Djeya pegged one back just over half an hour to get Cameroon back into the game.
Two second half goals compounded misery on the Nigerians and handed them their first final defeat at the Stade Fèlix Houphouët-Boigny.
1988
Four years after tasting a final defeat, the Indomitable Lions handed Nigeria another defeat.
Emmanuel Kunde’s lone goal in the 58th minute stole the show and condemned the Nigerians to another final defeat on the second time of asking.
Super Eagles In The 90s…
1990
The Nigerian national team didn’t have to wait long to secure another final appearance. However, this time dealt a fatal blow by the Algerian national team.
Chérif Oudjani’s 38th minute opener gave the North Africans a first continental triumph on home soil.
1994
Traumatized by 3 successive failed final berths, Zambia put the ball in the back of the net just three minutes into the final against Nigeria.
Two minutes later, Emmanuel Amunike pulled one back for the Nigerians and then added a sublime second in the other half of play. Nigeria earned her second title 14 years after the first in Tunis.
The 2000s Era…
2000
The 22nd edition of the AFCON was hosted by Ghana and Nigeria replacing Zimbabwe as hosts. Samuel Eto’o opened the scoring for Cameroon with Patrick Mboma adding a close second.
It took a decent second half showing to peg back a draw following quick fire goals from Raphael Chukwu and Jay-Jay Okocha. The latter scored a potential goal of the year contender in front of his own fans.
The match ended in a full time 2-2 draw. Victor Ikpeba and Nwankwo Kanu’s misses for Nigeria necessitated Marc Vivien-Foe’s miss for Cameroon wasn’t too costly.
2013
Nigeria’s most recent triumph came under the tutelage of Stephen Keshi. Having previously faced off against Burkina Faso in the group stage, Sunday Mba’s goal in the final gifted Nigeria a glorious third trophy in Soccer City, Soweto.
The AFCON 2023 final will determine either of two things at full time; Nigeria joining Ghana in holding an unprecedented record if they lose or winning another title to sit comfortably amongst the continent’s finest.
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