Ivorian Elephants keen to stomp their authority

The heavy weight of an expectant host nation must be gnawing away in the back of the minds of Ivory Coast players as they approach the highly-anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final against Nigeria in Abidjan tonight.

The Ivorian Elephants, who won the Afcon title in 1992 and 2015, rode their luck to reach the final. At one stage they were on the brink of group-stage elimination but they turned things around and are now on the cusp of continental glory.

Their run at this could easily be a script for a Hollywood movie.

They were almost dead and buried, and sank the hopes of a fanatical nation to finish third in Group A behind Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.

Ivory Coast waited for four days before their place in the last-16 was confirmed — and that led to the dismissal of coach Jean-Louis

Gasset after their 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.

The nine-man Ivory Coast needed a lastgasp extra time winner by teenaged substitute Oumar Diakite to secure a place in the semifinals when they beat Mali 2-1.

In Nigeria, they are up against formidable opponents who are unbeaten in the tournament, with the stingiest defence, having only conceded two goals in their six matches, with Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali having a stellar tournament.

Flamboyant Portuguese coach José Peseiro will call on players like inspirational captain William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina in defence, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Ademola Lookman in midfield, with the job of scoring goals resting on Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon. “Our players need to take this opportunity, they need to fight 100% because no one knows when they will be in the next Afcon final,” he said.

Ivory Coast interim coach Emerse Faé will bank on players like Jean-Philippe Krasso at the back, Seko Fofana, Nicolas Pepe, Franck Kessie and Max Gradel in the midfield, with Sebastien Haller and Simon Adingra leading the attack.

Faé admitted they had a difficult run but said they deserve to be in the final.

“We all know it is hard to win a tournament that you organise, and it will be hard to win this competition, but we are prepared to achieve this mission.”

The continent waits to see if the Super Eagles will soar sky high on enemy territory and win the tournament for the fourth time or if the

Elephants will stomp their authority.