Two west African football giants will go head to head when the Ivory Coast and Ghana meet in Sunday’s 2015 African Cup of Nations final.
The two sides have met in the final before, back in 1992 when the Ivory Coast won their first and only AFCON title. They also met in the 2008 third place play-off, with Ghana winning 4-2.
The Black Stars will be looking to add a fifth continental crown, and first since 1982, to their honours list.
Both sides are deserving finalists in 2015, having arguably been among the most exciting teams at the tournament.
Ghana
Ghana coach Avram Grant is expecting a good game with Ivory Coast in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations Cup final.
“We’ve seen quality players and quality football in this tournament but we can expect even more,” he said.
“There are a lot of good players in both line-ups and I think because of that we can expect a quality final.”
Ghana – Training session
Ghana finished top of their group, bouncing back from a 2-1 opening day defeat to Senegal to beat Algeria and South Africa.
Like Sunday’s opponents, Ghana also netted six goals in the knockout phase, beating both Guinea and Equatorial Guinea 3-0.
Ivory Coast
Coach Herve Renard expects the Manchester City man, who scored a superb goal in the 3-1 win over DR Congo in the quarter-final, to make a big impact.
“I’m sure Yaya will play a decisive game. He will arrive in time. You saw he scored a fantastic goal in the semi-final and that was not by chance.
“When you are fantastic player, these key important games are for you. I’m sure Yaya will play a very good final.”
Ivory Coast – Training session
Facts:
Ivory Coast have reached their third Afcon final in the last six editions. They lost the 2006 and 2012 finals on penalties, whilst their only Afcon triumph – in 1992 against Ghana – came via a shootout.
Ghana have reached their ninth Afcon final, more than any other team. They have won four tournaments and finish runners-up four times.
The nine previous meetings between these teams in this competition have produced one draw – a goalless stalemate in the 1992 final, which was won 11-10 on penalties by The Elephants.
The Pharaohs” Egypt is the greatest African team of all-time in history of African cup of nation as they hold the record most winners with seven and place as number one in all-time African Cup of nation table.
