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Ghana vs Ivory Coast
Andrew Ayew (L) hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps by helping Ghana lift the Afcon title while Yaya Toure will be instrumental when the Elephants of Ivory Coast take on the Black Stars of Ghana in the Afcon final. AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
Ivory Coast have now reached two of the last three Nations Cup finals but their only previous success was in 1992 when they beat Ghana 11-10 on penalties in the final. Four-time champions Ghana haven’t won the title since 1982.
MALABO- Will this be Ghana or Cote d’Ivorie’s final?
This is the impending inquiry amongst the millions of football lovers around the globe, ahead of this evening’s climax of the Africa Cup of Nations set for the Estadio de Bata.
The last match of the competition will determine whether the Black Stars claim their fifth continental gong or the Elephants being crowned with only a second title in their history.
Ghana coach Avram Grant played down his past dismal record in Cup finals ahead of the ultimate showdown, in which his charges will be keen to avoid a third final loss in the last decade.
“I have lost a couple of finals in the past including the (UEFA) Champions League, but this will count for nothing come Sunday.” the former Chelsea coach told journalists at the post match presser following that comfortable semi final triumph.
Star player Asamoah Gyan’s availability for the grand match remains in doubt though after the Al Ain forward missed the semis owing to injury, though the player seemed to move around with relative ease during, throughout and after the proceedings during Thursday’s match.
The Ivorians meanwhile are tipped by most as slight favourites to triumph tonight. Coach Herve Renard is a proven winner having already won the title with Zambia in 2012, and will be led by four time player of the year Yaya Toure in the showdown.
“We are ready for the game and will handle every moment with the maturity it deserves” Yaya said.
This befitting finale is what most neutrals would have wanted ato the start of this competition but with opinions divided on who will eventually have the last dance, the only prediction at this moment is for football lovers to be prepared for a long and drawn out battle.
PLAYING TODAY AFCON FINALS (9.00PM)
Ivory Coast vs Ghana
