AFCON 2023 final preview as Nigeria against Ivory Coast.

Nigeria and Ivory star who is going rise up the tropy

The Elephants were nearly eliminated at the first hurdle having also lost to Equatorial Guinea in the final group-stage match, and parted company with their manager Jean-Louis Gasset while they awaited clarification as to whether they would progress as one of the four best third-placed finishers.

“There is no favourite for the final,” insisted the Portuguese coach. “Each side has a 50 percent chance, but we are determined to win this final.”

Osimhen, meantime, has previously received praise from his coach for his work rate and performances at the tournament.

The Napoli striker earned his side a point in Nigeria’s opening match against Equatorial Guinea but has yet to find the net again.

“He doesn’t play like he is the star. He fights for the team and is completely unselfish,” said Peseiro.

“He knows he is an important player and he gives us the best energy. He has suffered a lot in this tournament with all the attention he receives from the opposing defenders because he knows it is a team game.”

Ivory Coast’s interim coach Emerse Fae was not his country’s first choice to replace the outgoing Gasset yet now he leads his country in the final.

Now Fae can now join an elite list of Africa Cup of Nations-winning managers just weeks after taking charge of a senior match for the first time.

It would be an extraordinary achievement for the 40-year-old French-born former Ivorian international, who played for his country in the 2006 final – albeit on the losing side.

He had been assistant to Gasset over the last 18 months so was well versed in what happened and what needed to be done.

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