African Cup, continuation and end. South Africa defeated DR Congo on Saturday to win the bronze medal for CAN 2024. While waiting for the grand final in Abdijan between Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
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The program of the day
The competition comes to an end with the last and most important match: the final which will crown the 34th African champion.
Read alsoNigeria – Ivory Coast: performances and journey of the CAN finalists
Today’s poster
This final pits two heavyweights in African football against each other. If the Elephants had a journey strewn with pitfalls in the tournament, the Super Eagles, for their part, gained strength regularly. But the two teams, which have world-class players in their ranks, rely above all on their collective. State of play before the final.
Find the pre-match Sunday morning on our site
Men to watch: Haller and Osimhen
Injured at the start of the CAN, Ivorian striker Sébastien Haller gained momentum throughout the tournament. Like the Elephants, his journey is one of rebirth, after two years marked by illness and injuries.
His portraitSébastien Haller, the symbolic scorer of this Ivory Coast “who has come a long way”
Nigeria arrived at the CAN with a formidable and feared offensive armada. At its head Victor Osinhem, 25 years old, freshly crowned with the title of best African player of the year. The Napoli star above all put his talent at the service of the collective, helping the Super Eagles to reach the final.
Find his portrait Sunday morning on our site
The final anthem
The official anthem of CAN 2024, “Akwaba” by Magic System, was overtaken in the hearts of Ivorians by “Coup du hammer” by producer Tam Sir. An artist who still can’t believe the success of his song, which he hopes will accompany Côte d’Ivoire until the final coronation.
Read also“Coup du hammer”, the hit that is driving Ivory Coast crazy
What happened yesterday
Bronze at the photo finish: South Africa took 3rd place in CAN 2024 by beating DR Congo on penalties (0-0, 6-5 tab). The Leopards may have regrets, as they missed the opportunity to close the match in regulation time. But DR Congo signs its fifth CAN draw and loses to a team specializing in exercise. Once again, Ronwen Williams was decisive, making Mbemba falter with the shot that could have awarded victory to the DR Congo. The Leopards could be proud of their achievement when greeting their beautiful public, like a promise made for the future.
In short
Retreat of a Squirrel and a Cheetah: Beninese Stéphane Sessègnon announced that he was retiring from international football. The former Paris Saint-Germain player will have marked the history of the Squirrels who became Cheetahs. After 20 years of good and loyal service and three contested CANs, he is the top scorer (with 24 pawns) and the most capped man in the selection (84 appearances). Legend.
Ivory Coast, Nigeria’s lucky charm? Nigeria and Ivory Coast meet for the 8th time at the African Cup of Nations with a positive result for the Super Eagles (3 wins against 2 for the Elephants and 2 draws). But more interesting: Nigeria met Côte d’Ivoire during the three editions of the CAN which they won (1980, 1994, 2013). Premonitory?
Ivory Coast following in Egypt’s footsteps? An inverse statistic so as not to get angry with our Ivorian hosts. Ivory Coast is the first host country to qualify for the final since Egypt in 2006. At the time, the Pharaohs won… Premonitory again?
The CAN news
The statement of the day
José Peseiro, Nigeria coach: “Ahmed Musa is many many many many more than a player. He helps us a lot. He gives me advice, he makes useful suggestions. He is a very important support on and off the field. Ahmed is special, he won the CAN (in 2013). It maintains cohesion. He pushes, he harangues.” The makings of a future deputy?