‘What a noise’
Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
Kristian Reed
BBC World Service in Abidjan
Wow. What a noise. I have my colleagues John Bennett and Ian Williams commentating in the seats next to me and I cannot hear them above the thunderous roar of the home crowd. I’ve also never seen subs run from one length of the field to the other so quick to join in the celebrations!
‘A striker’s finish’
Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on BBC Three
It’s great wing play from Adingra, too much from Ola Aina. It’s another fantastic cross from Adingra and it’s a striker’s finish. Instinctive, he knows where the goal is, sticks his leg out. Adingra has been the man, he’s not scored the goal but he’s been the most attacking threat, possibly in the whole tournament.
GOAL – Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast
Sebastien Haller
It had to be him!
The roof comes off as Sebastien Haller sticks out a leg to turn Simon Adingra’s cross past the keeper.
We’re into the final 10 minutes. Is that the winner?
‘Peseiro still raging’
Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
Kristian Reed
BBC World Service in Abidjan
I’ve been keeping an eye on Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro who got that yellow card for dissent in the first half. He’s still raging. About everything and anything. Despite the technical areas being legitimately big enough to have a game of five-a-side in (I’m having Simon Adingra as first pick) he’s still managing to wander out of it. Prowling.
‘Aurier needs to be careful’
Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on BBC Three
Serge Aurier is on a yellow card already and needs to be careful, a few more of them and he’ll be in trouble.
Posted at 15:3015:30
Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
Ademola Lookman wins his side a free-kick deep inside the Ivory Coast’s half after a challenge by Serge Aurier, who is already on a yellow.
‘Terrible defending’
Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on BBC Three
It’s a free header and it shouldn’t be, that’s awful defending. It’s Bassey who has not picked up Kessie, ball-watching until it’s too late. The goalkeeper doesn’t cover himself in glory. Terrible defending all-round, it goes through his hands.
Kessie is fortunate to be on the pitch after that elbow and he’s come up with the goal.
GOAL – Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast
Franck Kessie
Bedlam in Abidjan!
SUBSTITUTION
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
First switch of the final.
Moses Simon is coming on for Nigeria. Samuel Chukwueze has been replaced.
‘No need for Nwabali to get involved’
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on BBC Three
There’s no need for Nwabali to get involved there. The situation was virtually diffused already. No recipes exchanged between Nwabali and Aurier, just venom.
YELLOW CARD
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Tempers are rising after that incident involving Gradel and Sanusi. Nigeria keeper Stanley Nwabali and Les Elephants captain Serge Aurier are both shown yellow cards.
‘It’s a no-yes’
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on BBC Three
In my mind, it’s a no-yes. I think Gradel was already on his way down.
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Max Gradel goes down under a challenge from Zaidu Sanusi. Ivory Coast fans want a penalty but the referee is not interested. It looked outside the box anyway.
Early free kick for the Elephants Gradel wins a free kick close the box on the right flank.
A dangerous position. 48 minutes: Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast 46 mins. Super Eagles leading
Second Half under way.
HALF-TIME
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Nigeria have one hand on the prize.
‘Nigeria should be happy’
Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on BBC Three
Jose Peseiro will be pleased so far, he couldn’t have asked for too much more from his players. There’s been a couple of sloppy passes, but in football, it’s never going to be perfect.
Troost Ekong scores for Nigeria #NGACIV #AFCONFinal 🔥
— HojlundPR 🇩🇰 (@HojlundPR) February 11, 2024
GOAL – Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
William Troost-Ekong
That’s silenced the drums!
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
This is really heating up. Now Nigeria’s coach has been shown a yellow card for protesting too much at the fourth official.
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
Former England Under-21 international Ademola Lookman is a real handful. He’s surrounded by a couple of orange shirts but still manages to win his side a free-kick.
One of Nigeria’s most dangerous attacking threats.
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
Nigeria are enjoying their first decent spell of pressure and Ademola Lookman pings in a cross which is headed clear. Ivory Coast have six across the back each time Nigeria attack.
‘A good tempo’
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on BBC Three
There is a good tempo, I wonder how long this pace will continue. Maybe it will end pretty quickly because of the pressure.
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
Drums, trumpets and many other musical instruments in the crowd. And now boos from the stands as Nigeria drive into the Ivory Coast half through Ademola Lookman.
‘Fofana is a real handful’
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
Efan Ekoku
Former Nigeria striker on BBC Three
Seko Fofana is a real handful to deal with in the middle of the park, his ability to deal with players is impressive, but he is up against a great player in Onyeka.
NEPA!!!
Is it today of all days that there shouldn’t be light?
Just look at the queue to buy fuel#AFCONFinal pic.twitter.com/nmw5rDf6PG
— The BabyDoctor (@AyoFaleye) February 11, 2024
KICK-OFF
Nigeria 0-0 Ivory Coast
#AFCONFinal party is looking like World Cup . I’m proud of Africa. We are advancing pic.twitter.com/GoZ48kmejj
— Dr Penking™🇳🇬🇦🇺 (@drpenking) February 11, 2024
Ivory Coast gripped by excitement
Nigeria v Ivory Coast (20:00 GMT)
Kristian Reed
BBC World Service in Abidjan
The Alassane Ouattara stadium was full well over an hour before kick off, with fans making their way to the stadium all day. Even six hours before the start we saw fans milling around the ground waiting to get in!
The match has the whole country talking and full of anticipation. And not just because it might mean a day off work and school tomorrow should Ivory Coast win!
The closing ceremony has treated us to a host of Ivorian musicians and singers and a fireworks display to rival London or Sydney. Let’s hope for similar pyrotechnics on the pitch when the game starts
Team news
Fulham duo Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey are among the starters for Nigeria.
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is also in along with former Everton forward Adamola Lookman.
Nigeria XI: Nwabali, Bassey, Troost-Ekong, Ajayi, Aina, Sanusi, Onyeka, Iwobi, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Lookman.
Former West Ham forward Sebastien Haller starts for Ivory Coast, who are captained by ex-Nottingham Forest player Serge Aurier.
Hull City’s Jean Michael Seri also starts for the hosts.
Ivory Coast XI: Y Fofana, Aurier, Konan, Kossounou, Ndicka, Seri, S Fofana, Kessie, Gradel, Haller, Adingra.
