Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Nigeria and the Ivory Coast come head to head to battle for Africa’s most prestigious football trophy, the AFCON Cup.
22:53
The trophy is held aloft
Ivory Coast finally get their hands on the trophy, with Gradel holding it aloft.
22:46
Ivory Coast get ready to lift the trophy
After the Nigeria players received their runners-up medals, it’s now time for Ivory Coast to lift the trophy.
22:44
Emilio Nsue wins the golden boot
Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea wins the golden boot after scoring five goals in four games
22:38
Troost-Ekong named player of the tournament
Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong has been named player of the tournament
22:29
Fofana celebrates on Instagram Live
David Datro Fofana, who is on loan at Burnley from Chelsea, celebrates on Instagram live after Ivory Coast’s win. Fofana has three caps for Ivory Coast but wasn’t involved in this tournament.
22:27
Nwabali dejected as Nigeria are beaten
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is left dejected after his team are beaten in the final.
22:21
Aurier celebrates Ivory Coast's success
There’s emotional scenes for Serge Aurier as his team’s success begins to sink in.
22:17
Devastation for Nigeria
The Nigeria players are left dejected as Ivory Coast celebrate, with the contrast in emotions for the two nations very much in evidence.
22:15
Haller's decisive moment
Here’s a look at the goal that decide the outcome of the final, with Haller scoring with a neat finish.
22:11
Drogba celebrates as Ivory Coast win AFCON
Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba has joined in with the celebrations as his nation are crowned champions
22:08
Simon Adingra named man of the match
Brighton’s Simon Adingra has been named the man of the match following an excellent performance for Ivory Coast
22:05
Delight for Ivory Coast as they're crowned champions
There are jubilant scenes following the final whistle at Ivory Coast are crowned champions.
22:02
Ivory Coast win AFCON for the third time
Ivory Coast are deserved winners following an impressive performance. They are AFCOn champions for the third time.
22:01
Ivory Coast are AFCON champions
Ivory Coast have done it! They’re crowned AFCON champions after coming from behind to win 2-1 against Nigeria, with Sebastien Haller getting the winner.
21:57
Wenger watches on
Arsene Wenger is in attendance at the AFCON Final along with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF president Patrice Motsepe
21:54
Seven added minutes
There will be seven added minutes, which could give Nigeria encouragement that they can still take the game to extra-time.
21:51
Haller is substituted
Haller goes off as he’s replaced by Krasso, but will he prove to be the match winner?
21:49
Aribo on for Nigeria
Joe Aribo comes on for Nigeria as they look to take the game to extra-time.
21:48
Ivory Coast look to see the game out after Haller's goal
What a moment for Haller. Can Ivory Coast hold on?
21:45
GOAL – Nigeria 1-2 Ivory Coast (Haller)
Ivory Coast take the lead as Adingra swings in a cross and Haller makes an excellent connection to find the net. Will that prove to be decisive?
21:43
Double change for Nigeria
Iwobi and Lookman go off, with Yusuf and Iheanacho coming on.
21:40
Will Ivory Coast prevail?
There were jubilant scenes following Ivory Coast’s equaliser. Will they be able to secure glory now?
21:38
Fantastic atmosphere in Abidjan
Another look at the atmosphere inside the stadium tonight.
21:35, 69'
Double change for Ivory Coast
Serge Aurier has to go off for Ivory Coast, with Gradel also being subsituted.
Diakite and Singo are on.
21:32, 68'
Troost-Ekong looks to respond
The Ivory Coast fans are inevitably jubilant after their equaliser. Nigeria look to restore their lead with Troost-Ekong going for goal with another header, but his effort is off targt on this occasion.
21:26
GOAL – Nigeria 1-1 Ivory Coast (Kessie)
Ivory Coast are eventually rewarded for their relentless pressure, with Kessie getting the equaliser with a header.
21:22, 57'
Seri shoots wide for Ivory Coast
Yet another opportunity for Ivory Coast as Seri does well to create space for himself prior to shooting wide. Will Ngeria be able to cope with the pressure?
Following a subsequent move Kessie has a header saved.
21:19, 56'
Moses Simon comes on for Nigeria
Nigeria make a change, with Chukwueze going off and Moses Simon coming on
21:17, 53'
Ivory Coast penalty claim turned down
Gradel goes down in the area, with Ivory Coast calling for a penalty.
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and Ivory Coast captain Serge Aurier are then booked following a clash.
21:13, 49'
Gradel has shot saved
Ivory Coast have started the second half impresively as they increase the pressure on Nigeria. Adingra sends in a dangerous ball and it eventually falls to Gradel, whose effort is saved.
21:08
Second half underway
The second half starts. Who will come out on top in the AFCON Final?
21:07
Can Nigeria see out the game?
It will be intriguing to see how the second half unfolds and whether Nigeria will be able to hold off the considerable threat of Ivory Coast.
20:52
Half time – Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast
Fofana has a shot saved for Ivory Coast in the closing stages of the first half but it’s Nigeria who are in front courtesy of Troost-Ekong’s header.
Despite Ivory Coast’s dominance in terms of chances created it’s the scoreline that counts and Nigeria are currently 45 minutes away from glory.
20:48, 45'
Osimhen continues despite injury scare
There’s concern for Nigeria as Osimhen slips and requires treatment but he is okay to continue for now.
We are into four added minutes at the end of the first half.
20:44
Will Troost-Ekong's goal prove decisive?
What a moment for Nigeria captain Troost-Ekong. Will his header prove to be decisive?
20:40
GOAL – Nigeria 1-0 Ivory Coast (Troost-Ekong)
Incredible. Ivory Coast have been utterly dominant but it’s Nigeria who take the lead with their first opening of the game as Troost-Ekong scores with a header.
20:36, 33'
Ivory Coast create another chance
Yet another opening for Ivory Coast, with Adingra seeing a shot saved. Will Ivory Coast end up regretting these missed opportunities?
20:30, 26'
Osimhen involved in disagreement with Ndicka
There’s a clash off the ball between Ndicka and Osimhen, with the referee Dahane Beida taking steps to calm matter down.
Nigeria boss Jose Peseiro rages at the fourth official and is booked.
20:23, 20'
Another opening for Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast remain on top and now they’re looking to make their dominance count. Max Gradel tries his luck with an acrobatic effort but can’t quite find the net.
20:22
Excellent atmosphere for the big occasion
A look at the fantastic support inside the stadium. This is a huge occasion and it is Ivory Coast who are enjoying the better of proceedings so far.
20:15, 13'
Aina intervenes as Ivory Coast threaten
Ivorty Coast have started strongly and are now enjoying a sustained spell of possession, with Nigeria defender Ola Aina having to make an important intervention to cut out the danger.
Fofana later has a shot from distance saved.
20:09, 6'
Opportunities for Ivory Coast
The first real opportunity of the game falls to Ivory Coast, with the ball sent in towards Haller, who connects with the ball but ends up directing it wide.
Adingra then shows excellent skill prior to shooting off target.
20:07
Didier Drogba in attendance as Ivory Coast go for glory
Ivory Coast and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is seen with the trophy prior to the game. Can the current Ivory Coast side secure glory?
20:05, 2'
Cautious start
As you might expect, it has been a somewhat cautious start from both teams, who are eager not to over commit. There is a lot of anticipation about what will unfold.
20:02
Kick off
The game is underway. What drama awaits us in this intriguing clash?
19:56
Time for the national anthems
There is already a fantastic atmosphere throughout the game at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium tonight. Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba is present with the torophy before kick off. It’s now time for the national anthems.
19:43
Ivory Coast looking for third AFCON triumph
Ivory Coast have won the Africa Cup of Nations on two occasions previously, with their most recent success coming in 2015.
They will be determiend to prevail again on this occasion, while Nigeria will be aiming to add to their three titles, having last lifted the trophy in 2013.
19:36
Osimhen eager to make an impact
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has, somewhat surprisingly, scored just once in the tournament so far but he could have a crucial part to play in the final.
19:20
Ivory Coast's eventful tournament
Ivory Coast’s journey at this tournament has been nothing short of remarkable. They They sacked coach Jean-Louis Gasset after struggling during the group stages but still managed to make it through to the knockout rounds and have now got all the way to the final.
Former Reading midfielder Emerse Fae is currently in caretaker charge.
19:02
Team news
The starting lineups have been named for the AFCON Final.
18:39
The path to the final
Nigeria reached the final following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over South Africa in the semi-finals.
Prior to that Nigeria overcame Angola in the quarter-finals.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, secured a 1-0 victory over DR Congo in the last four, with Sebastien Haller finding the net.
In the quarter-finals, Ivory Coast beat Mali 2-1 in extra-time.
18:33
Welcome to our live blog
Good evening and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog of the AFCON Final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
It promises to be a hugely entertaining encounter in Abidjan and we’ll bring you all the action as it happens.
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