An ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper, Idah Peterside, has said that the Super Eagles will earn an easy victory over Ivory Coast, ahead of the 2023 CAF African Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

The ex-goalie said that the Nigerian team would defeat the host nation as the former had won the Group A encounter when they met, by 1-0; courtesy of captain Troost-Ekong’s 55th-minute penalty.

In the semi-finals, the Eagles, late Wednesday, defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 on penalties after a hard-fought full-time game that extended into extra-time and ended 1-1.

Two penalty saves from Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, were enough to help the Eagles cement a place in the final stage of the tourney against host nation Ivory Coast.

The Ivorian Elephants also advanced to the final after Dortmund’s Sebastian Haller struck in the 65th minute to book a date with Nigeria.

Hosts, Cote d’Ivoire completed their come-back journey by reaching the Finals of the Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 where they will meet Nigeria in what has been billed to be a ‘classic Final.’

The Final of the  Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will be played on Sunday, 11 February at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan at 20h00 GMT.

The last phase of ticket sales will open on Thursday afternoon for the members of the public.

Cote d’Ivoire laboured to a 1-0 over Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo DR) in front of a packed stadium in the economic hub of the Host Country curtesy of a goal from Sebastien Haller. It was a remarkable come-back from a country that was, not so long ago, written off by pundits.

Nigeria secured their spot in the final after a tense 4-2 penalty shootout victory over South Africa,. Nigeria, chasing their 4th African title since 2013, will face a formidable challenge from Cote d’Ivoire, who are aiming to add a third continental title to their name.

As anticipation builds for this highly-anticipated final, football fans across Africa are eagerly awaiting what is sure to be a memorable clash between two footballing giants.

Meanwhile Congo DR will take on South Africa in the third place playoff on Saturday at 20h00.

This marks Nigeria’s eighth appearance in the AFCON final, but their first in 11 years.

Super Eagles Head Coach Jose Peseiro has declared Nigeria’s hard-fought triumph over South Africa in the AFCON 2023 semi-final a well-earned victory.

Speaking to reporters in Bouake, the Portuguese manager acknowledged the challenge posed by the Bafana Bafana but emphasised his team’s resilience and deservedness to be in the final.

Difficult match

“Beating a well-organised team like South Africa isn’t an easy task,” Peseiro stated at the post-match press conference. “They caused us a lot of problems, so the Super Eagles deserve to progress after achieving this feat.”

This marks Nigeria’s eighth appearance in the AFCON final, but their first in 11 years.

Having conceded only one goal throughout the tournament, the team faced a stern test against South Africa.

After a 1-1 stalemate in regulation and extra time, the Super Eagles emerged victorious 4-2 on penalties.

“It was a very good victory against a good team,” Peseiro acknowledged. “The players deserve to be in the finals, even though they had to achieve that the hard way.”

Commendation for South Africa

The coach highlighted the cohesion and organisation of the South African team, crediting coach Hugo Broos for building a strong unit.

“I think it was very difficult to beat them,” he admitted. “Huge congratulations to Hugo Broos, who put this team together. They played well.”

With their sights set on a fourth continental title, the Super Eagles now face a thrilling final against host nation Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday at the 60,000-capacity Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe, outside Abidjan.

After a 1-1 stalemate in regulation and extra time, the Super Eagles emerged victorious 4-2 on penalties, thanks to two crucial saves by Nwabali.

Super Eagles goalkeeper and Man-of-the-Match in the semi-final game between Nigeria and South Africa, Stanley Nwabali, has revealed the behind-the-scenes efforts that culminated in his two penalty saves against the Bafana Bafana.

After a 1-1 stalemate in regulation and extra time, the Super Eagles emerged victorious 4-2 on penalties, thanks to two crucial saves by Nwabali.

Speaking to reporters in Bouake after the hard-earned victory over South Africa, Nwabali indicated research and guidance from his coaches aided his penalty saves.

“For me, I give credit to my coaches; when the time for the penalty shoot-out came up, they guided me on what to do and I did my best.”

Asked if he also did his research to know where each player would play their kicks, Nwabali affirmed that was the case.

Man-of-the-match surprise

On his Man-of-the-Match award, Nwabali, who chose to be humble in victory, said he was excited but “surprised” to get the award

“When they gave me the Man-of-the-Match award, I was surprised but I am happy about it.”

Moses Simon (twice) Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are the other recipients of Man-of-the-Match awards for the Super Eagles team at the ongoing AFCON tournament.

While Nwabali continues to get rave reviews for his shootout and general excellence in goal for Nigeria, the goalkeeper is quick to reject any individual praise as he credited the team as a whole for any success recorded so far.

“It has been a good team performance throughout this tournament. I really appreciate the management and coaches,” said Nwabali.

The Chippa United stopper is already the subject of transfer speculation, with offers reportedly coming from France and Saudi Arabia, among other places, for his services.

As the ongoing African Cup of Nations holding in Cote D’Iviore is gradually coming to an end, some players have made a mark by putting their names on the scoresheet of the tournament.

The final of the tournament is between the hosts, Elephants and the Super Eagles of Nigeria, on Sunday, February 11.

The hosts beat DR Congo 1-0, thanks to Sabatien Haller’s overhead kick in the 65th minute.

The Eagles soared above Bafana Bafana of South Africa on 4-2 penalty shoot-outs.

Emilio Nsue, the captain of unfancied Equatorial Guinea, netted five times in the group stage and couldn’t advance his tally after his team crashed out of Round 16 against Guinea Conakry.

Nsue scored twice in a 4-0 win over the hosts in their final group game, having netted three in a 4-2 win over Guinea-Bissau, the first Cup of Nations hat-trick since 2008.

Gelson Dala (ANG), Mohamed (EGY) – 4 goals

Bayo (GUI), Bounedjah (ALG), Lookman (NGR), Mabululu (ANG), Sinayoko (MLI), Traore (BUR) – 3

J. Ayew, Kudus (both GHA), Camara, H. Diallo (both SEN), Mokoena, Zwane (both RSA), Mendes (CPV), Troost-Ekong (NGR), Wissa (COD) – 2

Adingra, Diakite, Fofana, Haller, Kessie, Krasso (all CIV), Bebe, Monteiro, Pina, Rodrigues, G. Tavares, Teixeira (all CPV), P. Gueye, Mane, I. Sarr, Seck, I. Ndiaye (all SEN), Hakimi, En-Nesyri, Ounahi, Saiss, Ziyech (all MAR), Buyla, Edu, Ganet, Miranda (all GEQ), Castelletto, Magri, Toko Ekambi, Wooh (all CMR), Catamo, Clesio, Reinildo, Witi (all MOZ), Elia, Masuaku, Mbemba, Silas (all COD), Amar, Dellah Yaly, Koita (all MTN), Makgopa, Maseko, Tau (all RSA), Marmoush, Salah, Trezeguet (all EGY), E. Colley, Jallow (both GAM), Daka, Kangwa (both ZAM), Dorgeles, H. Traore (both MLI), Gilberto, Zini (both ANG), A. Camara (GUI), Djiku (GHA), Hotto (NAM), M. Konate (BUR), Msuva (TAN), Osimhen (NGR), Rafia (TUN), Ze Turbo (GNB) – 1

Own goals: Gomez (GAM), Orozco (GEQ), Sangante (GNB), E. Tapsoba (BUR).

In response to widespread speculation, FIFA has issued a statement refuting rumors of the introduction of blue cards into elite football competitions.

The governing body clarified that there are no plans to implement such a disciplinary measure, labeling the reports as “incorrect and premature.”

The concept of a blue card, which has garnered significant attention within the football community, was believed to introduce a new disciplinary system potentially affecting player conduct during matches.

However, FIFA’s statement dismisses these notions, highlighting a notable disparity between public discourse and the organization’s official position on the matter.

FIFA emphasized that any potential trials of the blue card system would be conducted cautiously and limited to lower levels of competition. This indicates a cautious approach to experimenting with new disciplinary mechanisms, prioritizing the integrity and flow of the game, especially at elite levels.

The organization intends to provide further clarification on this topic at the upcoming International Football Association Board (IFAB) Annual General Meeting scheduled for March 2.

This meeting serves as a crucial platform for discussing and deciding on football laws, and FIFA’s stance on the blue card issue is expected to be addressed definitively.

FIFA’s prompt response underscores its commitment to maintaining existing disciplinary frameworks while remaining open to innovation in a controlled manner.

The organization aims to strike a balance between preserving football’s traditional values and exploring ways to enhance fairness and sportsmanship.

As the football community awaits further details at the IFAB meeting, stakeholders will be eager to hear FIFA’s stance not only on the blue card but also on other potential regulatory amendments and innovations in the sport.

South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos feels his side played better against Nigeria in their semi-finals encounter which they lost 4-2 on penalties in the  Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

The Bafana Bafana came back from a goal down to take the game to penalties but ended up losing.

Reacting to their defeat, Broos explained his side played much better and deserved to win the game.

“Football can be hard sometimes, when you see the performance of my team today, and then there is penalties, and then you lose the penalties and you are not in the finals, it’s hard to accept that because we play very good game today.

“I think we were the best team in the first half, we got the best chances, Nigeria didn’t have any chance. Second half they have few chances which resulted in a goal and we changed something tactically, and we could comeback,” he said.

He added,” We created more chances which means if we had scored, we would have been in the final and not Nigeria.

The Belgian tactician hailed his team for what has been a great tournament for them.

“It’s a big disappointment for everyone, we believe we played a very good game, not just today but throughout the tournament.  I’m proud of my players, the disappointment is this but the proudness is that,” he concluded.

South Africa will now face D.R Congo in the third place playoff on Saturday, February 10

Nigeria’s penalty shootout hero Stanley Nwabali was quick to deflect personal praise onto his teammates after steering the Super Eagles to reach the AFCON final. 

Nwabali saved two crucial spotkicks and earned the Man of the Match award as Nigeria edged South Africa 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Bouake on Wednesday night.

Despite earning rave reviews for his shootout excellence, the humble keeper highlighted Nigeria’s team ethic.

“It has been a good team performance throughout this tournament. I really appreciate the management and coaches,” said Nwabali.

The Chippa United stopper praised head coach Jose Peseiro in particular. Nwabali was delighted when Peseiro visited him in South Africa prior to AFCON, calling it a huge motivational factor.

“When the coach informed me he was coming to visit, for me it was one of the biggest things. A coach to come visit was a motivation. When he said he was coming I was really pleased,” Nwabali remarked.

This humility and modesty has endeared Nwabali to Nigerian fans during a fairytale tournament.

His penalty heroics against South Africa will be remembered for generations, etching his name into Nigerian folklore.

Yet for Nwabali, it is all about the team. As Nigeria prepare for the final against Cote d”Ivoire or DR Congo, their unwavering spirit could prove the difference.

Nwabali embodies this spirit, deflecting praise and driving standards higher. “These guys have really guided me a lot throughout this tournament, and I feel so happy,” he said.