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AFCON 2023 IS COMING TO AN END TOMORROW. IT WILL BE BETWEEN NIGERIA AND THE HOST COUNTRY, IVORY COAST. BUT BEFORE WE PROCEED TO THE FINAL.. HERE IS THE 10 PLAYERS IN MY OPINION THAT MADE THIS TOURNAMENT A LIVELY ONE.
NB: ILLUSRATION BASED ON PAST EVENTS OF AFCON AND CLUBS.
JAN,14,2024.
![AFCON 2023.](https://www.niscompress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/VICTOR-OSHIMEN6-683x1024.jpg)
If Nigeria are to lift their fourth crown, and only their second in 30 years, then it is likely that Osimhen will be very close to securing the tournament’s leading scorer accolade. The 25-year-old already has 20 goals in 27 appearances.Lets see in AFCON 2023.
![MOHAMMED SALAH TO WATCH.](https://www.niscompress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MOHAMMED-SALAH-TO-WATCH.jpg)
If Egypt are to add to their record seven continental titles, then Mohamed Salah will have to bear the brunt of the work for the Pharaohs. Egypt has not won an AFCON title since 2010, and Salah has been left on the losing side in the final in both 2017 and 2021.Lets see in AFCON 2023.
![MANE TO WATCH.](https://www.niscompress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MANE-TO-WATCH.jpg)
Without mane, the Lions lost their bite and could not repeat their previous best of a quarterfinal appearance as they were well beaten in the group by the Netherlands and in the round of 16 by England. The 31-year-old’s 39 goals in 100 appearances for his country simply could not be replicated. It’s hard to see how Senegal defend their crown if Mane fails to fire.Lets see in AFCON 2023.
![MAHREZ.](https://www.niscompress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MAHREZ-795x1024.jpg)
The 32-year-old, now with Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, has an impressive 30 goals in 89 appearances for Algeria.Lets see in AFCON 2023.
![HAKIM OF MOROCCO.](https://www.niscompress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HAKIM-OF-MOROCCO.jpg)
The Chelsea forward, on loan at Galatasaray, has scored 20 goals in 54 international appearances and the Atlas Lions needs him to rediscover his form at FC Twente and Ajax that led to his move to Stamford Bridge in 2020.
![BISSOUMA OF MALI.](https://www.niscompress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/BISSOURMA-692x1024.jpg)
The center midfielder is a particularly powerful area in terms of quality and depth for Mali but Tottenham star Bissouma has the potential to be one of the players of the tournament.
![NICOLAS PEPE OF IVORY COAST.](https://www.niscompress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NICOLAS-PEPE.jpg)
His 10 goals in 37 international appearances is hardly enough evidence to excite fans before the tournament.it was Pepe’s goal that sealed the demise of the defending champions, Algeria, at the last edition.Lets see in AFCON 2023.
8. Youssef En-Nesyri: Morocco.
![ENNEYRI OF MOROCCO.](https://www.niscompress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ENNEYRI-OF-MOROCCO.jpg)
Youssef En-Nesyri’s performance in front of goal is likely to hold the key to Morocco’s ambitions. The historic achievement of reaching the World Cup semifinal in Qatar left their manager Walid Regragui with a clear mission ahead: to win the 2023 AFCON. To do so, Morocco needs to find goals.
.9. Andre Onana: Cameroon.
![ANDRE ANANA OF CAMEROOM.](https://www.niscompress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ANDRE-ONANA-683x1024.jpg)
The 27-year-old’s recall to the squad in September for the AFCON qualifiers was a shock. Whether Onana and Son have buried the hatchet or not, the ultimate sweeper keeper’s role will be vital to his team’s chances of success.
![MOHAMMED KUDUS.](https://www.niscompress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MOHANNED-KUDUS-737x1024.jpg)
Kudus has taken the Premier League by storm with West Ham this season – something a player transferring to England rarely does in their first year. The midfielder is 12th on the list in the English top flight for goals per minute. The 23-year-old, who has scored 10 goals in 24 matches in all competitions for the Hammers, first caught the attention of European clubs when Danish side FC Nordsjaelland brought him from Ghana at the age of 17 – a relative latecomer in the modern football world.
Africa Cup of Nations final, Ivory Coast vs. Nigeria: Can Victor Osimhen rescue Super Eagles on Sunday?
The Africa Cup of Nations final I:e AFCON 2023 is set and it’s a rematch from Group A as Ivory Coast will host Nigeria. What’s even more impressive is that both of these teams advanced to the knockout stages from Group A despite neither team winning it. That honor went to Equatorial Guinea with Nigeria finishing second and Ivory Coast scraping through in third place where they would advance as one of the best third-placed teams. Their group stage struggles led to them firing their coach, Jean-Louis Gasset mid-tournament before their fortunes changed and they knocked out favorites Senegal along the way to the final.
Teams that were expected to be defined by their attacks have instead leaned on defense and impressive play from goalkeepers as their attacks have stalled. Victor Osimhen hasn’t been at his best for the Super Eagles while also dealing with some nagging injuries. Nigeria is prepared for the moment of facing the hosts, already winning 1-0 the last time that these sides met. Buoyed by Stanley Nwabil boasting the most clean sheets in the tournament with four, Nigeria will feel well prepared to limit Ivory chances in AFCON 2023.
For the hosts, there’s no better time to be healthy and backed by home support, The Elephants, are just getting back to full strength as Sebastian Haller scored his first goal at AFCON in the semifinals and Simon Adingra is also back to full health.
WHAT TO KNOW ON THE AFCON 2023 FINAL.
Nigeria: Coming in second during group stage play, Nigeria’s attack let them down as the Super Eagles only allowed one goal during group stage play. It was expected for their attack to be the strength of the team, but even facing top attacks on the continent, it was down to the defense to limit chances to secure passage to the knockout stages. The defense went back to work with shutout victories over Cameroon and Angola until a date with South Africa in the semifinals.
In that match, it seemed like Nigeria would cruise to another victory until Osimhen had a goal ruled out and subsequently VAR awarded South Africa a penalty which was converted to tie the game. Nigeria would emerge victoriously after a penalty shootout, but it wasn’t without twists and turns along the way.I love this AFCON 2023.
Ivory Coast: Entering AFCON with key players injured, the group stage was expected to be a struggle for the Elephants, but it was unexpected for them to be so poor under Gasset out of the gate, even with the team struggling against South Africa and Morocco in pretournament friendlies in the lead up to AFCON. But Ivory Coast was able to make it through at the death with a little help from other teams and the round of 16 welcome for their efforts was a date with SenegalFranck Kessie would convert an 86th-minute penalty to tie the game before Ivory Coast eventually won on a penalty shootout knocking out the reigning champions of AFCON 2023.
The Elephants upped the drama factor going down to 10 men during the first half of their match with Mali before scoring in the 90th minute to force extra time and the 123rd minute to avoid penalties. Finally, against DR Congo, the Elephants played a simple game-winning 1-0 behind a goal from Haller, but they’ve had enough drama along the way to begin picking up the team of destiny label
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Players to watch ON THIS AFCON 2023 FINAL.
Victor Osimhen, Nigeria: So far this has been a tournament to forget for the Napoli man. While he has taken the most shots of any player at AFCON at 24, Osimhen has only put five shots on target from that. With one goal and one assist so far in the tournament, finals are made for big-game players like Osimhen to perform, if Nigeria goes home champions, there’s a good chance it’s because Osimhen finds his scoring boots.
Simon Adingra, Ivory Coast: Haller may be the most notable player on the roster, but Adingra’s dribbling is what can break down Nigeria’s defense. An unpredictable winger, if Adingra’s at his best, he can decide the game and provide space for Haller and the rest of the attack to break down Nigeria’s defense. This is a game that will be determined by star attackers.
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