The final of the 2023 AFCON is set to be played on Sunday in Abidjan at 8 pm at the Stade Olymipue Alassane Ouattara.
In a pre-match conference on Saturday ahead of the crunch clash between Nigeria and Ivory Coast, the Super Eagles head coach Jose Peserio praised Emerse Fae, Ivory Coast’s head coach, for being able to turn things around for the Elephants.
“My team is doing well but we want to win AFCON – this is the main match, credit to Emerse Fae also for reaching here, from being an assistant coach.
Emerse Fae, 40, took over from French coach Jean-Louis Gasset after Ivory Coast was beaten 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea in the Group Stage.
The former midfielder for Ivory Coast had never coached before the appointment as the interim at the AFCON.
Fae has gone ahead and defied all odds to reach the finals of the AFCON.
“it’s a 50-50 final, there are no favourites,” said Jose Peseiro.
It is indeed a 50-50 match as it is difficult to separate the two even though Nigeria defeated Ivory Coaat 1-0 in the Group Stage.
