Nigeria - Ivory Coast predictions and free betting tips [11/02/2024]

Today, in the first semi-final of the African Nations Cup, the teams of Nigeria and Ivory Coast will play against each other.

Nigeria national team

The Nigeria team has gone a long way at the African Nations Cup, starting with a controversial performance at the group stage and culminating in a place in the tournament's final. Despite the team's initial shaky performance, particularly after their laborious victory over Guinea-Bissau due to an own goal, the Nigerians gradually found their rhythm and affirmed their status as one of the tournament's most consistent teams. The semi-final match against South Africa was one of the least spectacular, where the main time was decided by two penalties - one scored by William Troost-Ekong for Nigeria and another by Thabo Mokoena for South Africa. However, South Africa made crucial errors in the penalty shootout, allowing Nigeria to advance to the final. Omeruo, Troost-Ekong, and Iheanacho were spot-on in their penalties, ensuring a victory for the team.

In the quarterfinal against Angola, Nigeria showed grit, winning the match by a narrow margin of 1:0 thanks to a goal from Ademola Lookman, who confirmed his status as one of the team's key players. The match was tense, with many fouls and few scoring opportunities, but efficiency and focus on the result allowed the Super Eagles to advance.

Prior to the quarter-finals, Nigeria faced the team of Cameroon, where they displayed dominating gameplay and high efficiency. Lookman's double hit ensured the Nigerians' victory, while Iwobi's strategic move to the centre of the field boosted the team's game. The Osimhen, Lookman, and Simon attacking partnership demonstrated a high level of play, affirming Nigeria's title ambitions. Assembling a star-studded line-up, Nigeria has lived up to its status as one of the favourites for the Africa Cup of Nations, showcasing not only skill but also the ability to win crucial matches.

Ivory Coast national team

The Ivory Coast team, hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations, has demonstrated their ability to reach great heights despite a series of tough matches and the absence of their head coach. In the semi-final match against DR Congo, the "Elephants" showed character, winning with a score of 1:0 thanks to Sebastian Haller's first goal in the tournament, which marked a turning point in their journey to the final. This victory in regulation time was their first since the tournament's opening match when they overcame Guinea-Bissau.

Ivory Coast's play in the tournament is characterised not only by the skillset of the midfielders, including Franck Kessié, Jean Michaël Seri, and Ibrahima Sangaré, but also by the good fortune that has followed them throughout the competition. This was particularly evident in the quarterfinal against Mali, where the team managed to equalise towards the end of the match and claim victory in stoppage time thanks to the efforts of young talent Adingra and substitute Diakité.

The victory against Senegal in the penalty shootout set Ivory Coast apart as a team that can hold its nerve in crucial moments. The penalties scored by Pepe, Kouamé, Haller, and Aurier demonstrated both the team's strength in crucial moments and its ability to withstand pressure.

Despite the difficulties the team faced at the start of the tournament, including a defeat by Nigeria and a rout by Equatorial Guinea with a score of 0:4, Ivory Coast has emerged as a strong contender and sensationally made it to the final. This achievement underscores their tenacity and ability to overcome challenges, demonstrating a high level of skill and team spirit.

Head-to-Head 

The history of head-to-head encounters between the teams of Ivory Coast and Nigeria records both tense matches and games where one team demonstrated clear dominance. In the most recent rounds of the AFCON play-offs, the Elephants beat the Super Eagles 1:0 in the semi-finals. One of the most recent crucial confrontations was a 2nd round group stage match at this African Nations Cup, where the game was scarce in attacking variety and interesting moments, and the only goal was scored from a penalty by William Troost-Ekong, securing Nigeria's victory with a score of 1:0.

In previous meetings, the teams have exchanged victories. For instance, in friendly matches in 2015 and 2016, each team came out on top once with a score of 1:0. A significant moment in their history was the final of the Africa Nations Championship qualifiers, where firstly Nigeria dominated in the initial encounter with a score of 4:1, but in the return match, Ivory Coast prevailed, winning with a score of 2:0.

Match prediction: Nigeria - Ivory Coast

In the showdown between the Elephants and the Super Eagles, the Nigerians seem to me as the favourites. They have consistently completed the entire championship without losses and have only conceded twice in the opening phase from Equatorial Guinea (1:1) and in the semi-final from a penalty. Ivory Coast as hosts, will shoulder a lot of responsibility, and they have miraculously made it to the decisive match. Even in the semi-finals, they didn't seem head and shoulders above the Congolese, despite a flashy lineup in the midfield and attack. I am anticipating a victory for Nigeria by a marginal score.