Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Prediction: Who will win AFCON glory?

| February 10 |

3 mins read

After almost a month of football, the Africa Cup of Nations reaches its climax on Sunday (20:00), as the two African power houses of Nigeria and Ivory Coast face off in Abidjan. We've previewed this massive showdown and given you our suggested betting predictions.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast Betting Tips

Nigeria to lift the trophy - 10/11
Under 1.5 goals - 5/4

Ivory Coast continue to shock and astound the critics, who had written off the Elephants after a disastrous group stage saw them just scrape through in third place in Group A. Two losses including a 4-0 drubbing by Equatorial Guinea saw the end of Jean-Louis Gasset mid-tournament and the promotion of his number two Emerse Faé.

Since then, they've knocked out some excellent teams in Senegal, Mali and DR Congo and now look to become the first host nation to pick up the title since Egypt in 2006. To do that though, they have to deal with the threat of the mighty Nigeria.

I tipped up the Super Eagles at 10/1 as a good bet to win the tournament in my AFCON Preview before the tournament began and they've not disappointed, remaining unbeaten throughout, with five wins and two draws.

Jose Peseiro's men have built their success on the back of a well organised and disciplined defence, conceding just two goals throughout the whole competition. They will need to call upon that defensive rigidity in the Olympic Stadium, with a fiercely partisan crowd at their backs.

Team news

With so much on the line and no significant new injury issues, it seems likely that both sides will stick with the same starting XI that got them to the finals.

Match odds

Despite being the away side, Nigeria are slight favourites to get this one done in 90 minutes at 8/5, with the hosts Ivory Coast at 9/5. The draw is priced at 7/4 should you fancy this one to go to extra time and potentially penalties.

Goals look to be at a premium, with under 2.5 priced up at just 2/5. Nigeria beat Ivory Coast 1-0 in the group stages and that same result on Sunday is available at 5/1.

Nigeria to lift the trophy - 10/11

Nigeria came into this tournament eight places above the Ivory Coast in the FIFA world rankings at 42 and surely will rise higher than that after reaching the final.

I was expecting Victor Osimhen to boss this tournament as the reigning African Footballer of the Year but despite smashing in a high of 24 shots, he has only scored once. Don't be surprised if he pops up with the winner though.

Ivory Coast have built up a serious head of steam and will have the fans with them throughout but for me the sole defining factor between these two sides is Nigeria's defence, which has been absolutely miserly.

I'm taking Nigeria to lift the trophy as I expect this one to go to extra time.

Under 1.5 goals - 5/4

Ivory Coast have played in four AFCON finals and they have all finished goalless. On top of that, the two most common score-lines in Cup of Nations finals are 1-0 (eight times) and 0-0 (seven). Nigeria, as I already mentioned have conceded just two goals in the Ivory Coast. Am I selling this to you yet?

I think this will be a hugely cagey and attrional affair and wouldn't be at all surprised to see if go into extra time. The under 1.5 goals at 5/4 screams value to me.