AFCON 2015: Ghana, Cote d’ Ivoire in titanic final clash

Ghana Black Stars and the Elephants of Ivory Coast will go
head to head in today’s epic final of the 2015 Africa Cup of
Nations in Bata, the capital of Equatorial Guinea.
The encounter evokes memories of the 1992 final of the
tournament involving both sides when Ivory Coast won its first
and only AFCON title. The two nations also met in the third
place play-off of the 2008 edition with Ghana claiming a 4-2
victory.
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 at this year’s tournament,
having arguably been amongst the most exciting teams at the
tournament.
Ivory Coast finished top of Group D, thanks to 1-1 draws with
Guinea and Mali, before it beat Cameroon 1-0.
The Elephants grew stronger as they went into the knockout
phase, scoring six goals as they beat the continent’s number-
one ranked side, Algeria, and the dangerous Democratic
Republic of Congo, winning 3-1 on both occasions.
Ghana also finished top of its group, bouncing back from a
2-1 opening day defeat to Senegal to beat Algeria and South
Africa.
Like today’s opponents, Ghana also netted six goals in the
knockout phase, beating both Guinea and Equatorial Guinea
3-0.
Captain, Yaya Toure, is the talisman to watch in the Ivorian
side. The Manchester City of England play maker is yet to
help his star-studded side deliver on their full potential at an
international tournament.
But the four-time African Footballer of the Year has so far
displayed a steely drive and determination to achieve glory for
his country, and scored a sensational goal to set up the
victory over the DRC.
Up front, Wilfried Bony will be a marked man, but the burly
striker will still likely be a big goal threat for the Elephants.
The energy and drive brought to the team by Max Gradel has
also been an asset, especially if Newcastle United hard man
Cheick Tiote fails to recover from injury.
Ghana’s biggest injury concern is its captain and all-time
leading scorer, Asmoah Gyan, who missed the semi-final win
over the host nation, but is still hopeful of making it back for
today’s final.
However, in Gyan’s absence, Andre Ayew has been superb,
while newcomer to the side, Kwessi Appiah, has made a
positive contribution when called upon.
Midfielder, Mubarak Wakaso could, however, be the man to un­
lock the Elephants’ defence; the Celtic left-footer having been
in sparkling form at the competition.
Ivory Coast manager, Herve Renard, will be looking for a sec­
ond AFCON title after winning the tournament with Zambia in
2012.
Ghana, meanwhile, has Avram Grant at the helm, and the
Israeli-born former Chelsea manager would surely love to
show the world his coaching acumen by winning a fifth
AFCON title for the Black Stars.